I don't think I can go on with life.
"Stakes high as NBA nears a lockout" by Shira Springer, Globe Staff / June 30, 2011
Less than 24 hours remain on the only National Basketball Association countdown clock that matters. With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire at midnight, the league appears headed toward a lockout.
Isn't it sad that the only strong unions in AmeriKa are millionaire unions?
Hundreds of millions of dollars still separate proposals from the owners and players, almost certainly too large a divide to bridge in negotiations scheduled for today in New York City.
“I sure would like to see us make a deal,’’ said NBA commissioner David Stern. “Not making a deal should give everybody apprehension.’’
But neither side is in a concession-making mood, especially the players....
I notice the corporate papers always blame labor.
The standoff comes down to this: League executives and owners want a new financial system for the NBA with a tougher salary cap, shorter contracts and a greater share of basketball-related income — everything from ticket sales to TV revenue to merchandise. Players want to protect many of the benefits they enjoy under the current deal, such as a soft salary cap, contract lengths that can extend to five or six years and more than half of basketball-related income.
The prospect of a lockout comes at a most inopportune time, with record television ratings and increased attendance building momentum for the NBA. If the NBA entered a lockout, the league would join the National Football League, which is 110 days into the longest work stoppage in its history. NFL negotiations are scheduled to continue today and tomorrow in Minneapolis.
Related: Locked Out of the Boston Globe
The NBA negotiations are high-stakes for more than just the owners and players. Lockouts lead to lost revenue for the cities that host games and for businesses located near arenas.
I don't want an economy based on the overflow and largesse of sports teams.
Each Celtics home game at the TD Garden results in about $420,000 of outside-the-arena consumer spending for eating and drinking, retail, hotels, transportation and parking, according to the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Add in tickets sales and Garden concessions, which have an economic impact on arena workers and local suppliers, and the number jumps to $1.8 million per game....
And how many schools is Boston closing this year?
As the dollar-driven gamesmanship progresses, incendiary comments, courtrooms and fan frustration follow. And the current, uncertain economic climate only complicates ongoing negotiations.
“With all the economic problems in this country, no one wants to hear about NFL/NBA lockout,’’ Jared Dudley, Phoenix Suns forward, union representative and former Boston College standout, recently commented via Twitter....
The league points to projected losses of about $300 million this season as its strongest argument for changing the NBA’s current business model....
HOW CAN THAT BE with RECORD TELEVISION and ATTENDANCE?
The league also wants it known 22 of 30 franchises lost money this season....
Imagine if the league was not doing well (unless the owner's cries of poverty are lies).
The players dispute the league losses....
I'm wondering about them myself (or is it the reporting?).
Regardless of when both leagues resolve their respective labor disputes, teams, owners and players have already suffered costly losses when it comes to their images.
Billionaire owners arguing with millionaire players about the division of profits never sits well with fans....
Neither does sports on the front page of my newspaper.
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I would RATHER PLAY the GAME MYSELF than watch, readers.
