Lockouts

The NBA joined its big brother NFL this week in locking out the players after the contracts ended between the respective players associations and the league associations. Although a legitimate case can be made for each of the two sides in this dispute, the biggest case should be made for the association who ultimately pays the bills - the fans!

But first, I'll start with the owners. They take on the ultimate risk of owning a multi-million dollar business and trying to keep it financially solvent while also putting out a product that is competitive and fan-friendly. And knowing that only one team a year (usually out of about 30 or so total) can claim the top prize - so that means that most of the teams have to walk about feeling unsatisfied. (Except for the Minnesota Vikings ownership, who should just be happy to have something to do.) I do not doubt that these billionaire owners (let's be honest about who could actually qualify to own a team) have invested some risk into owning their respective teams. But let's also not forget that most, if not all, of these owners made their money being successful at something even bigger than competitive sports (hard to believe, huh?!). Think about it - if Jerry Jones is successful or unsuccessful as the owner of the Dallas Cowflops, it really won't matter financially. He'll write off losses and he will still have successful businesses that can keep him fiscally happy.

Let's call ownership of an NFL and NBA team what it is - a hobby. An expensive one, yes, but just a hobby. That said, the risk is less in my mind than people claim it is. Thus, I am not feeling too sorry for the owners just yet.

Now, let's look at the players. I don't often find myself feeling sorry for millionaires but we are being asked to be sympathetic to a group of guys whose own personal risks involve possible career-threatening injuries or just personnel decisions that cause them to pursue another career. However, the reality here is that we all have to deal with this when we either go or choose not to go to college. They decided to invest in a future that involved a career in professional athletics. I personally chose journalism (public relations) and now have to deal with the financial failings of that decision. They chose to play a sport they loved (which is not to say I don't love what I do but I don't get paid when I still play basketball) and then they turned around and said I should be sympathetic to their "plight" because they have families. Yeah, me too - except I don't have three Mercedes in the driveway of my mansion that I can turn around and sell so that I can feed my child. But enjoy that weekend in Vegas with your girlfriend while your wife and kids sit at home and starve on that steak and lobster buffet!

Yes, I realize not all NFL and NBA players live that life. But a lot of them do and that is the reality of the perception that is out there. And they have one major thing working against them - many of them did a really poor job of looking ahead to what they might do after their pro careers are over, and because college was used as a stepping stone many lack the education that would otherwise help them in their careers. I've been a strong advocate for treating pro sports in a similar way as being a doctor or attorney. However, instead of requiring a doctorate or a law degree, I suggest that anyone who wants to play in one of the major sports leagues have at least a two-year degree that includes a focus on finance, social interaction, and dealing with the media. I have a feeling if more athletes were fine-tuned in those areas, fan support would be tremendous for them.

Another group that has been talked about lately are the vendors, and I can't say I don't feel sorry for this group. It is unfortunate that companies who invested in the franchises in the various cities may end up going out of business because millionaires and billionaires are greedy people. But it is what it is, and they are ultimately the ones who would have the lightest level of influence in this matter.

At the end of the day, we have the fans as the ones left out of the negotiations but the ones who truly have the most invested. We are the really the ones who pay the salaries since none of the leagues would have anything without our dollars and our butts in the seats and our purchasing power that leads to big TV contracts and advertising revenues. So my suggestion (since they aren't asking me or any other fan to sit in on the negotiations) is to take that money that seems to be preventing a deal to be reached and just give it back to the fans. Then the owners and players just get what they have, and the fans get something back for having to listen to these whiny people (I really want to call them so much worse!). It's not the perfect solution but they have had more than enough time to start acting like adults and now it is time for the bill payers to have their say in this matter.

I know that at end of the day (or season), they will reach agreements in both leagues. Both sides will claim they won, and they will both insist that any concessions that were made were done for the fans and for the good of the game. And it will all be BS! The agreements will be reached because the Jerry Jones and James Dolans (Knicks owner) of the world will insist on seeing the fruits of their empires back on an active revenue stream. The players who are on the minimum end of the wage scale (I feel your pain, even if I make one-tenth of your salary!) will realize they didn't plan on a year-long "strike" and will be willing to take a little less. And if even one game is lost or the season is shortened at all, the fans will have lost due to greed. Let's get it together guys - this is ridiculous!

J.W.O.A.G.