Why Do People Care About NBPA Business?

Yahoo!'s thorough reporting on possible National Basketball Player's Association nepotism and financial irresponsibility has all the feel of scandal: misallocated funds, a shady bank, the squelching of a whistle blower. At any moment, it seems as though the police will escort a frazzled Billy Hunter out of his office in cuffs. 

Except, nothing illegal is alleged. The players union is permitted to waddle along somewhat dysfunctionally. As stands, Derek Fisher wants the organization to run differently and Hunter wants it run his way. It is a power struggle between two men who likely won't be heading the operation when the next collective bargaining agreement will be negotiated a half decade from now. This palace intrigue can stoke intrinsic interest, but I can't hazard at what the situation means for fans, if anything. 

As for the $3.4 million Hunter is accused of paying family members over two years? This is the equivalent of Kevin Seraphin's salary, spread to multiple people. While it is a vast sum to myself, it is a drop in the bucket compared to what the NBA players generate in aggregate revenue. Perhaps this is a "where there's smoke, there's fire" situation, but I just don't understand A) why fans should care, or B) why they do care insofar as they do. 

This is not meant to dismiss the hard work Yahoo!'s done, I just simply can't fathom why it matters beyond the NBPA boardroom. You could make the case that union dysfunction prolonged the lockout, but you could also easily posit that a more unified force would have dug in its heels for longer. We just don't know, and the 2012 season is here, ready to vault us into a highly entertaining playoffs. 

Perhaps the interest is in Fisher, possibly the league's most famous role player. Perhaps the fans are crazy for some post-lockout Hunter coverage. Either way, it's surprising to see men in suits leading the front page of NBA sections, days before the playoffs.