An Open Letter to NBA Players

[brettdale]

Hi, since you guys aren't doing anything this season, how would you like to come
down to NewZealand and play in our League, the top imports get around $60 thousand
a year, since It's not about the money according to media statements, then you might
like to do this.

Oh and when you return to the NBA, could you tell the fan who makes $28K a year why his/hers
ticket price is $100 dollars for the cheap seats.

[Omaha Steve]

1. Could it be the owners say they are losing $ but won't open up the books?

I wonder.

And talented fans can walk on and try out anytime.

[DefenseLawyer]

2. Amen to that.

That's a reasonable request from workers to management, even in the NBA.

[hifiguy]

18. Yep. If you claim to be losing money,

open the books and prove it. Otherwise you're just blowing smoke.

[Gabi Hayes]

3. why doesn't this OP start whining about how much money the likes of Justin Bieber or JLo make?

at least the NBA players have an actual talent

I'm sick beyond words of DUers siding with management, just because the employees happen to make a lot of money

so WHAT?

they're trying to break a union. it's not a strike, it's a lockout, and the owners are 'bargaining' in very bad faith

get it?

what's so hard about that?

[lbrtbell]

4. +1

[brettdale]

10. Im coming from a fan perspective

I thought Unions were for workers who are not getting a fair deal.

Surly if your on a 100 million dollar contract you dont need a union.

The workers at the arena do though.

[Gabi Hayes]

19. the first real athletes' union was the major league baseball players' union

did you know that, until they unionized, most all had to work the rest of the year at regular jobs, and didn't make squat. only the ruths, mantles, etc., made the 'big' bucks, and the owners made it all

once they unionized, they finally started making money commensurate to the value they brought their 'employers'

how much would you pay to see David Stern play aginst Jerry Buss

again, as I said, the union stands on the principle that they're already giving back a huge percentage of their money, and the owners want to break their backs, including being able to send them back to the developmental league during the season, and REDUCE their pay even further if they so decide

I'm a huge NBA fan, btw, and my mind boggles at the amount of money they make, but they're entertainers

that's why I brought up Bieber

it's just not the same for them

do you sit down and watch your garbage man pick up your trash a couple nights a week on cable?

I'd much rather see Derrick Rose make $10 million a year than JZ make 40

[Sgent]

5. NBA Owners

pretty much do open their books according to ESPN. NFL owners reveal almost nothing.

[Bowwowwow09]

15. This is true, the current NBA format is unsustainable

If you care about basketball, you have to side with the owners on this one. The NBAPA is acting as if they are making huge concessions because they have moved the most on the negotiations. Well, there is a reason for that...they had the best CBA in the history of professional sports. More than half of the NBA teams lost money (they HAVE shown the books numerous times) and the players want to be able to create super teams like we see in Miami, while the owners want a league that looks much more like the NFL. They want a league where Indiana and Milwaukee have as good of chance to win the title as Miami and LA. Look at the NFL, it doesn't matter what market you are in, if you are a well run organization, you can compete (Green Bay, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, etc).

Not only that, the NBAPA has not been representing the players. From the looks of things, there is a huge number of players that wanted to accept the deal offered, but the team reps said now. There are many players who want to take a vote on this because they believe they are being steamrolled by older players who have endorsement deals and other revenue streams.

I've followed the NBA lockout very closely as it has a direct personal impact on me. The owners have put forth a proposal that is FAR more fair than what the players have offered. If the players got their way, the NBA would be cut to 15-20 super teams with no salary cap, no drug testing, no trades, and all guaranteed contracts. That is unsustainable.

[emilyg]

6. I can live without the NBA.

[ellisonz]

14. It's putting a lot of people besides the players out of work..

[emilyg]

16. Good point.

[demosincebirth]

7. but, but, they have families to feed.

[provis99]

8. I guess you'd rather the money went to the owners.

Personally, I'd pay to see the laborers, the player play. I wouldn't pay to see the owners.

[No Joe]

9. zzzzzzzzzzz

Who cares about such a monotonous sport?

[brettdale]

11. my offer still stands

Even though I have no connection to any team in newzealand, i would love some nba players to come down here
earn a wage, and play some bb.

It was good enough for Kendrick Perkins's dad in the 80's and clyde the glide huntly, how about Lebron
and wade.

http://mediasportandotherrantings.blogspot.com/2011/11/canterbury-rams-giving-it-to-saints.html

[Prometheus Bound]

12. I'm sorry, 'Clyde the Glide' can be used only with 'Drexler'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0rdjSsW-iE

[brettdale]

17. LOL

Sorry I forgot about the nba's clyde the glide all those years back, our clyde the glide is also an american and could bang in threes with the rest of them.

[malaise]

13. Why don't you write the owners? n/t