NBA Lockout: Owners' Stubbornness Threatens NBA Season

Players and owners met once again, but hope will not be in the room with them. The season will take a major hit, and it has everything to do with the stubborn billionaires at the negotiation table. 

ESPN reports that Monday is deadline day at NBA labor negotiations. Commissioner David Stern stated he would cancel the first couple weeks if at least a framework for a new deal were not in place. 

By Sunday night, a framework would be a miracle in the midst of a stringent deadlock. The biggest disagreement rest on how to split income revenue between owners and players. 

The current CBA issues the players a cut of 57 percent. According to the report, players are willing to drop that percentage to 53 percent on a new deal. 

However, the owners are stout that they will only accept a 50-50 split. It seems there is only one willing party at these negotiations. 

The season is in serious danger of cancellation, and it comes at the hands of owners that can't stand to lose another cent. 

There is no argument that this is a business, and owners are in it for a profit. However, we can't continue to side with owners that have thrown money around the league with flippancy then crying poor months later. 

You can't sign Darko Milicic for $20 million for four years, and then demand fiscal responsibility. You simply can't sign Elton Brand for an exorbitant amount, and then cry foul when it turns out worse for the franchise in the end. 

The owners may have opened up the biggest can of worms by not giving an inch as pertaining to basketball related income splits. 

The loss of games would force players to consider decertification. The ace in the hole would bring a suit against the owners, making their private financial matters very much public display. 

Games may be lost, and the NBA a deserted landscape. However, we are headed into a very interesting time in these negotiations. The loss of games and revenue will make the situation a fluid one. 

With players finding work overseas, there has never been a worse time for owners to stick to their guns. The players have budged, now it's time for the billionaires in the room to do the same.