From the outside looking in on all of these sports labor negotiations, I feel that when it is all said and done the owners, who represent the billionaires could and will out last and out spend the players, who represent the millionaires.
Well it seems that the players of the NBA may have something that no other players union has had in times of labor lockout and uncertainty. The players of the NBA have a similar trump card that the owners of the NFL had in 1987 when they went to replacement players. At that time the NFL had a players strike on their hand and went to replacement players and a means to collecting revenue while negotiations took place.
Well it seems that times have definitely changed. Currently the NFL is going through tough labor negotiations which are jeopardizing the league and its revenue, but replacement players aren’t an option for the owners and the players have no where else to play so in the end they will have to work something out for their to be a positive resolution for both parties.
With all of this said most would think that the NBA players are in the same position as their counterparts. Well that perception changed when superstar Deron Williams announced that he has a deal in place to play for a team in Turkey if the NBA lockout isn’t resolved in time.
Yet there may also be another problem bubbling up for the owners if things go the way Deron thinks they will. In an article by Chris Broussard from ESPN.com he goes on to interview Deron about the decision to play overseas and his thoughts on the landscape of the game.
" If the proposal (the owners) have, if that's what they're sticking with and that's what they want, then I think it would be hard for a lot of guys to come back to the NBA," Williams said Friday in an interview at a private golf resort in San Diego.
"(Kobe) could go make more money overseas, I guarantee you." said Williams, who has a one-year, $5 million deal with Besiktas. "If (European teams) knew he could be there for a full season, or they knew I could be there for a full season, or they knew LeBron James could be there for a full season, they'll pay more money, of course."
These were thoughts by Deron Williams but eventually they will become the greatest bargaining tool for the players as this lock moves forward. Deron believes that there may be an exodus by the players if the owners get their way and lower player salary. It would be pretty easy to see how the option to play in Europe becomes the thing to do. European teams have contacted other players such as Rudy Fernandez, and Carmelo Anthony, in attempt to sign them away from the NBA. Other players have even gone so far as to inquire about contracts and insurance if they were to decide to play overseas.
It is clear that there are some serious issues that will come into play when it comes to the labor negotiations in the NBA. The players have options but the owners don’t so I see a different turnout when it comes to the final outcome of this situation.
Reference:
1) http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6753259
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