With no deal in place, NBA risks losing fans and record-interest

When it looked like a deal looked liked it was going to be finalized, things turned ugly in a hurry. NBA owners and representatives from the players association met for three days in New York to try and agree on a new collective bargaining agrement.

So close, and now it appears feelings got hurt. But its all part of the negotiating game and may mean a deal is nearby.

“I want to make it clear that you guys (media) were lied to earlier. Plain and simple,” Players Association president Derek Fisher said. “They’re interested in telling one-sided stories that are not true.”

Federal mediator George Cohen, who was also involved in the NFL lockout talks, was brought in for the three day of meetings. Both parties hope he could help solidify a deal, something he failed to do with the NFL.

Unlike the NFL, the NBA is not a cash cow with money pouring out for every team. Over 75% of teams were losing money each season so that has been a priority set forward. It needs to be a sustainable product, where the teams are all making money and the players are getting compensated appropriately. How to split up the basketball-related income hasn’t been easy, nor agreeing to other contract changes.

According to Players Association executive director Billy Hunter, the owners came into the meeting room and gave an “ultimatum” that the players must agree to a even split of the BRI. Financially, the two sides are reportedly about $100 million apart. Missing more games this season may cost the players about $400 million.

There’s also a change that may as well be called the Jamaal Tinsley rule. YahooSports.com senior NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski wrote that a amnesty clause is also a big topic on the table for the new CBA.

“As CBS Sports reported, the proposed amnesty clause that will allow teams to cut loose one problematic contract per team at the conclusion of the lockout will allow for teams to have 75 percent of the money taken off the salary cap over the length of the deal. The player will become a free agent, and the team will have only 25 percent of his annual salary on the books going forward. Players will still receive the full amount of money they’re owed under the contract.”

The NBA is losing more fans as this lockout continues with each day. After a record-ratings year, and the most interest in nearly five years, the NBA is on verge of missing out on a lot.

Summer league, training camp, preseason games and the first 100 regular-season games are already cancelled. It’s hard for either side to make a deal until they feel the lockout. They have to feel the loss and miss the money in the pocket that they are so use to. Most players live lavish life styles, and the average player spends the money as it comes in.

Well that money hasn’t been coming in and right now, won’t be coming in for another month at best. The league and players need to settle on this. Neither side will be completely satisfied but that’s the indication of a quality negotiation. Both sides have to take their losses. Enough with the gimmicks.

Many fans don’t have any sympathy for what they are fighting about, because they don’t have a job either. Watching their favorite team or player was a way to escape reality for a few hours and right now after taking a big leap forward, things have gotten ugly. And they may get uglier before they get resolved.