NBA Lockout: Why Commissioner David Stern Wants an NBA Lockout
By now, NBA fans know that the league is in lockout and the 2011-2012 season is in jeopardy.
Right now, the NBA Players Association holds 57% of the revenue and the owners want a 50-50 share. The word on the street is that the NBA season is doomed.
Certainly for sports fans, the 2011 offseason has been rough. First the NFL, now the NBA. Fortunately, the NFL season has been salvaged. Don't expect the same outcome for the NBA.
Truth be told, NBA commissioner David Stern doesn't want a season at all.
It is no secret that NBA commissioner David Stern has wanted to push the game globally for the last two decades. This impending lockout may be the solution to David Stern's dream. This year is his perfect opportunity to plant a seed for NBA EurAsian.
NBA star and US National Olympic team member Deron Williams has already committed to Besiktas in Turkey. Rumors have been floating around the blogosphere today that Kevin Durant may join Williams. Numerous other NBA faces have also been rumored to play elsewhere this upcoming fall. Most importantly, Kobe Bryant and other former and upcoming US National team members.
Can you imagine a modern day Dream Team on a team in Turkey or say, China?
In fact, Durant toured China this summer while Kobe Bryant made an appearance in the Philippines. This only hypes this scenario even more.
This is NBA Commissioner David Stern's fantasy. The global interest and the competitive level of basketball is at an all-time high. The biggest stars in the NBA playing a season overseas heading into the Olympics would certainly promise a tremendous demand for the NBA going into the 2012-2013 season. This will also showcase many foreign talents. This scenario puts the NBA on a global stage, opening the door for the possibility of expansion. In the long run, money is to be made for the NBA and it's owners if this occurs.
The 2012 Olympics will be held in London, England. If the NBA stars take the world courts by storm, the ballyhoo for basketball leading up to the Olympic Games would be unprecedented. Honestly, what sports fan doesn't love the Olympics?
Now, if you haven't caught the news lately, London is in turmoil. Massive rioting has taken over the streets. Who comes to the rescue? Ron Artest, I mean Metta World Peace. Rumors have hit the internet today that "World Peace" may play for the Cheshire Jets in England if the NBA lockout remains. There's nothing like sending your best ambassador across the pond to smooth things out before England is put on display for the 2012 Olympics. With the Olympics right around the corner, hopefully the name transcends the current events. All eyes will be on the Olympics next summer. David Stern is banking on a peaceful event that brings basketball to true global recognition.
Some people are worried about the NBA players not being paid overseas. For one, with all the focus on these players, the team revenues would be through the roof (tickets, merchandise, television deals). Secondly, one has to believe that Nike, Adidas and the rest of the big shoe companies would pay the remaining salaries because it benefits them most.
A true global market is what David Stern has always wanted. A true global market is what David Stern and the NBA owners are about to get.
Who's complaining about money now?
