[LEFT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Who else is sick of all this lockout talk? There isn’t enough Pepto bismol on this planet to cure the nausea created by millionaires fighting billionaires over money. I’d rather watch back to back episodes of “The Hills” (just kidding, I’d prefer the lockout). The NFL, having a convenient off-season fake lockout, has prepped us for what looks to be the real deal here with the NBA lockout. People are losing their houses, cars and jobs they’re supposed to give a damn about how much total revenue the Utah Jazz brings in? Let’s have some perspective here. Better yet, let’s end this drama and do what you were put on this earth to do: Give us Basketball![/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]What’s that you say, National Basketball Association? You don’t know how to solve this? Well, seeing as I have to think of everything, I will show you “the way”. First off, have this settled and agreed upon a year in advance of the expiring deadline date. I don’t know how many discussions were being held in the past year, but my guess is not many prior to a couple of months before lockout date. In the REAL WORLD, you meet your deadlines. You just don’t just let them pass and say “oops, now what?” Whatever it takes, have an agreement reached. Make sure the ink to paper is all that’s left to finalize.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]If you failed meeting the deadline (WTH? We talked about this), then I have some fall back options, but you’re not going to like them. The NBA has made its bed, so it shall lie in it. The first fall back option is to let the courts now determine the resolution. The courts already do this, but I suggest both parties only have one month to state their case to the courts, to speed up the process. That way in August, the teams can get back to finalizing rosters and playing ball. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Professional sports, in this country, are vital to the national economy. Think of all the jobs and money created by having a professional basketball team: From ball boys, to parking garages, to concessions and to the players and games themselves. Now multiply those jobs by 30 and that is the entire NBA workforce. All the money created and made during an entire year, gone. That would put quite a strain on the Economy. Add that to the fact the NFL might also not play. At that point, Obama would have quite a situation on his hands. All that is needed is a bill made into law prohibiting professional sports teams from refusal of play. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]If the government finds itself too busy to resolve then I have a few more options. How about Europe? I know generally they stink, are rude and use kilometers instead of miles, but they also have deep pockets. Europe should offer custom made contracts allowing players to play overseas with the option of returning once the NBA is done goofing off. I wouldn’t mind watching Euros playing with the NBA’s elite, once the college basketball season is over of course.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]The last and final option is for every team to fend for itself. If what the owners say is true then only 8 teams are making a profit currently off their franchise. The other 22 teams should get their entire franchise in a room and agree to reduce salaries. Because at this point, it’s either reduce salaries so the franchise can make money or shut it down. If this leads to fist fights or stabbings then so be it. In this day, you have to do what you have to do and to accept a reduced 2 million dollars per year salary from a previous 4 million dollars per year[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] salary is way better than 0 dollars per year. This would require an open communication of all financial records, but at that point what are you hiding. It’s the ultimate test to see what these players and owners will do to save their team. Be selfish or selfless.[/SIZE][/FONT][/LEFT]
[SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]This system sucks and needs fixed. We can’t be having lockouts every 13 years. In my job for instance, I don’t have to worry about contract negotiations or union books. I do my job to the best of my ability and I usually get rewarded for it. Economy and general life aside, more importantly the lockout is really screwing things up for current, former and future wildcats. Liggins and Harrellson can’t sign with anyone and Calipari doesn’t know what the NBA will do so he can’t take on any more recruits until he does know. Fix it, or we’ll move the NBA to Lexington.[/SIZE][/FONT]
