NBA Looking for Cheap Labor

[tarheelsnipe]

Looks like the NBA owners will be seeking a massive pay cut for players at the beginning of next season. This includes new contracts for the highly publicized free agent market and restructuring of current contracts for players to conform to the new collective bargaining agreement. The trend for some players who feel they're underpaid is to jump ship to the Euro or Asian leagues. Could we see higher profile players making the jump?

More on ESPN.com...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4894018

[wrafman]

Another strike coming...? When was the last one -1999-00? They lost half the season before finally coming to their senses.

This was discussed in another similar thread. Considering that most of the owners are losing money now(partly their own fault for overpaying the players) if they do strike, it will be the players (and to a slightly lesser degree, the fans) who will suffer the most.

[garnett_21]

If it takes a strike for the players salaries to be cut, so be it. They make WAY too much money. Let them make small amounts, and make the rest of their money from endorsements...kill two birds with one stone by making them be on their best behavior to keep their sponsors.

[wrafman]

If it takes a strike for the players salaries to be cut, so be it. They make WAY too much money. Let them make small amounts, and make the rest of their money from endorsements...kill two birds with one stone by making them be on their best behavior to keep their sponsors.

Agreed - people have other sports to watch or college basketball. There is also the NBDL or even the WNBA (not nearly the same level of athleticism but better fundamental basketball) It's not like we or the owners can't survive without them but could they survive and make millions without us(?) - no way!

I realize that it is a play on words and an expression - 'cheap labour' but the NBA, as you know, is not really looking for cheap labour, just significantly cheaper. The player salaries are ridiculous - e.g. $11 million per year for five years for Ben Gordon!!

A lockout by the owners may be what it takes. To be frank, as much of an NBA fan as I am, I am kind of hoping they are locked out since they seem resistant to salary cuts. If they strike or are locked out and the players accept a lower or firmer salary cap then maybe the games will be a little more affordable for the average fan. As someone else said it seems the players have lost touch with reality a little or just don't care - as far as the everyday regular working man.

Good point about the behaviour too. The NBA, despite the latest Arenas incident, does not have as many problems as the NFL, at least. Look at Michael Vick's dogfighting (different sport granted but still pro sports) and recent comments about how he did not give it his all when he was with the Falcons.