we all have our personal favs. I like playing baseball, even though playing the in-field is terrifying

 

Agreed Jason.

I love playing baseball and basketball and football. But when it comes to watching baseball I will pass.

 

Well I officially don't care about the NBA anymore. They can call off the whole season for all I care. Even if they come to an agreement *today*...I won't be buying tickets or even watching any games.

 

Nah I agree with you man. Shortstop is a rush. Anything else is just boring.

 

I feel so bad for these millionaires that they aren't getting more million to play a **** basketball game, let me get my tiny violin.

Players haven't been about the game for years now, it's a **** shame with all the crazy amounts of money they get for PLAYING A GAME.
You would think people who save lives would get paid better.

 

So . . . where do people think the money should go? Unfortunately (or fortunately) there is a HUGE sum of money generated with sports (arenas, sponsorships, tickets, apparel, etc.) and in most areas people have voted (in the past) to fund arenas, ballparks, stadiums thus pushing costs back on the taxpayers.

Is it as simple as private funds exclusive to the professional team for facilities?

And no . . . I don't have the answers . . . I just wanted to throw out more questions!

 

I agree. It's just all about the money. The filthy lucre. For both sides

My whole thing is I can't blame the players or call them greedy when I know if they were trying to lower my salary at my job I'd fight it as best I could too. Both sides are concerned with the money, but most people seem to thinks its ok for the owners to care about money but not ok for the players to be. I just disagree with the double standard

 

I think it's just fine for the owners to care about money...because that's all it is to them. It's a business *that they own*, and they're in it to make money. The players are getting paid to do "what they love". They're the low level employees. I don't get to bargain for what percentage I get at my job...I don't see why they should get to bargain either. Here's what you're paid...Take it or leave it. That's all there is to it.

 

Then I would say you probably don't work in a union. Which is exactly what the NBPA is, a union. And unions bargain for their pay all the time. Just ask Ford and the UAW.

Let me ask you this, would you be upset if your boss came to you and said, "Sorry man, but your pay is going down next year" ? Because effectively that is what's happening. The players are not asking for more money, they are trying to maintain the status quo. They're even willing to take a pay cut, just not as much as the owners are asking.

Another place I would disagree with you is you calling them low level employees. In this case that couldn't be further from the truth. They actually ARE the product the owners are trying to sell. Believe me, if it were that simple to replace them the owners would have done so already. Like it or not it takes talent to do what they do, which is why they are paid so highly.

I still think its unfair to allow the owners to care about money but say the players shouldn't. Most people select their jobs based on how much money it makes, and whether or not they actually enjoy it comes secondary. Why should athletes be any different?

Further, owners should have "love for the game" too. You know what happens when they don't? The LA Clippers. Their owner flat out refuses to spend money to put together a competitive team. As a result his teams are always terrible, YET they are one of the most profitable franchises. I guess it's ok for owners to only car about money though...

 

Jason, you make good points, but I would also like to add that its team owners job to make sure that business stays in profit so that they can continue to exist. Players don't care about that. If team goes out of business there are 29 more teams in the NBA that they can play off.

 

Exactly my point...They shouldn't be in a union. Nor do I think unions should exist (but that's a whole different arguement). You get paid what you get paid. If you don't like it, then find a new job.

Would I be mad, if my boss told me I was getting a pay cut? Of course, but that's how it is. I'm not happy with what I'm paid now, but it is what it is. If I could find a better job that paid as much or more, I'd gladly leave for that job. And that's my right, just as it is theirs. If they're not happy with what they're paid, then they're free to stop playing and find a different job.

No, the product that the owners are selling is entertainment. The players are the low level, sales associate equivalents who provide that entertainment to customers. Just like anyone else in any other business, they're all replaceable. And they'll find that out, if they don't get their **** together and come to an agreement.

 

Yea I mean what are you going to do with a measily 6million a year from playing basketball?
can't even put filet mignon on the table every night for that poor bastards...
Can you imagine having to only buy 2 lamborghini's this year instead of the 4 you wanted?

 

Good point. I think some players don't care about that. But I also think some do. Some are smart enough to realize that if my boss doesn't have money then I wont either. That's why the players have agreed to lower their pay, just not as much as the owners would like

If you don't believe unions should exist then we will never agree on this issue. Fair enough

Replace millions with billions and I can make the same argument for the owners

 

Just one more thing to add.

You guys do realize this is a LOCKOUT and not a STRIKE right?

Meaning the Owners have locked the players out of team facilities and they are the ones preventing play. The players ARE NOT demanding more money or refusing to play....

 

Anyone remember when Latrell Sprewell rejected Minnesota's 3 year $21 million offer from few years ago saying it's not enough and he gotta "feed his family"?

 

yes, and that was idiotic. That's why no one else offered him a contract

 

Dumbest thing I've heard in a long time, poor guy.. he gotta feed his family lmao!!!

 

Gooood point regarding 'lockout' vs 'strike'.

I find it interesting, though... if it's a union, then why do they have individual contracts with each player? I thought a union negotiated pay too...

/I just... really don't care. I think I'll even skip the thread from here on out.

 

He's still #1 at something though...
http://www.revenue.wi.gov/delqlist/Topten.htm

The man made 97 million over the course of his career. Fail.

 

I would rather watch NCAA also!!