Will the Dallas Mavericks stay the defending champions for another year? Will the number one draft pick, Kyrie Irving, get to show off his talents as a rookie in the NBA? These are just some of the questions being asked around the media concerning the 2011-2012 NBA season.
The lockout is taking place because the owners felt that they were losing too much money and the players are making more then what they deserve. The owners felt that they might lose up to $300 million this season and they needed to make changes. The only way that there will be an upcoming season is if the players agree to salaries that are suitable for the owners to make a profit from their team. Some of the owners of a smaller market team felt that they were not included, and the commissioner is trying to fix that by making a goal were the teams will make a profit. All 30 teams will be able to compete. Players are now being stuck with tough decisions on what to do.
If a player goes to the summer Olympic qualifier the NBA will not secure insurance if that player gets hurt. Players are starting to sign contracts with teams overseas. They will play there if the NBA season fails to continue. The NBA teams are not allowed to talk to their players during the lockout. They are encouraging their players to stick it out and wait. During the NBA lockout the players will not be getting paid. Also, all pre-season games have been cancelled. NBA’s free agency, which would of started the first Friday in July, has been cancelled, and the free agents are the ones who are in a very tough spot because they have no team at all.
Last year’s NBA season boosted the tickets sales, merchandise sales, and television ratings. The owners feel that this would be another good season if they could agree on contracts and make a profit. League officials said that 22 out of the 30 teams would lose money this year if they do not do something about it. Last time there was a NBA lockout was the 1998-99 season. They ended up settling an agreement and played a 50 game season. The players agreed to a 50/50 split of basketball revenue after earning 57 percent last season. They want more concessions from owners on numerous peripheral items such as the mid-level exception and lighter luxury taxes for free-spending teams. Players from all thirty teams will meet November 15th and 16th to analyze the latest offer. The fans want to see if the Miami Heat can win a championship, or if they will have to wait another year. The season is relying on a signature that will determine if the NBA brings in millions or loses its fans to another sport.
Logan Gebhards
-The Cardinal
