Here's the thing that gets me, everyone has known this time would come since the last agreement was negotiated. But from the outside looking it there appears to have been no forward planning. No meetings a year out to try and test the waters. No emails sent explaining what either side needs or wants from the new agreement.
It literally looked like they got to the end of the season and the owners said "we're not happy with the current deal, stadiums are locked until we get a new one". To which it seems the players have responded "Tell Fisher cos I've got a holiday/shoe launch/video game to take care of".
All the while us as the fans have been left here wondering why this game we love so much apparently only means dollars to these guys. Yes it is a business to the owners and a job to the players. I get that. But you need to have a product to sell. Not being on the court, or tv, is reducing the relevance of this product and thus it's value. The longer it goes the more "resolute" both sides become but the less the fans care about it coming back. It's become painfully obvious that these people don't do what they do for their fans anymore, so why should we care if and when they do come back?
Why should we fork out hundreds of dollars for tickets or online subscriptions? It wont make the players or owners care more next time an agreement rolls around. They wont be thinking "that army guy from Australia really likes my jump shot, hope he sees this one" or "man, my fans are the best and my popularity with them is the reason my jersey sales are so high and my endorsement deals are awesome because they all buy my shoes". The owners wont think "Gee our fans are great, because they stuck by us even when we were douche bags, lets make slurpees cheaper this week!"
I guess that's the big thing, one day a long time ago they loved this game too. They would have been upset to lose the first month of a season. They would've been angry watching the players and the league fight over points that don't make sense, just like you and me. They would be sending tweets to their favourite players asking then to please make a deal, pleading for them to find a way. They all CLAIM to love the game, they all tell us how lucky they are to make a living playing/administrating the game they LOVE but none of them want to make a deal.
To the players, you need to plan for the future not get paid now for the future. Look at Jalen Rose, he planned and now he works for ESPN still in the industry. Remember that you love the game, remember that the fans love you and take a small cut to bring OUR game back.
To the owners remember the wise words of Jon Bon Jovi "you don't own a sports team to make money, you own it because you love it". If you don't love it then sell it to someone who does. Our game deserves it!
If something isn't sorted soon the league will be damaged forever. Fans will only think in negative ways about the players and owners. Social media is too prevalent now, which wasn't an issue in 98. Memories are short but RTs last forever.
Sort it out NBA we want you back. For Now.
No comments:
Post a Comment