NBA Lockout: Kobe Bryant and Others Prove There Is Money to Be Made Without NBA
The stars of the NBA are currently gaining a position of power over David Stern by proving they do not need him to make money.
This has been on going process and players are taking their efforts up a notch. Yahoo Sports is reporting they are finalizing a deal on a 10-game tour across four continents that will pay big bucks.
This tour is part of a progression of the players, and other businessmen, realizing their ability to make money off of the brand these guys have built up.
The Progression
Over the summer and fall players like Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul hosted one-off charity games. The Drew and Goodman Leagues saw big-name players stop by for their games and these games worked their way into pop culture for the first time.
The two summer leagues also met for two head-to-head contests that also received a moderate level of interest.
Kobe Bryant and others also played in games overseas. These games did little to compensate the lost income these players are looking at over missed NBA time, but it demonstrated the kind of revenue these guys can easily generate without the NBA hype machine.
Current Tour
The players' latest venture is the previously mentioned 10-game four continent tour. Kobe Bryant, Amar'e Stoudamire and Kevin Durant are already on board.
Yahoo is also reporting that sources are saying LeBron James, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony are also "strong candidates to participate."
Yahoo is saying that the top stars are slated to make more than $1 million plus expenses for this tour.
This is getting much closer to NBA money.
How This Helps Players in Negotiations
The more success and revenue these guys make outside the NBA the less they need the NBA. While this only currently affects a few NBA players, it can lead to helping all of them. This opens the doors for international leagues and teams to become bigger players in the basketball market. That will create more money and jobs for all players.
David Stern does not want this to happen. He wants the game to expand internationally, but he wants that to happen on his terms and under his control. The longer the lockout goes on, the less power and hold he is going to have on the worldwide basketball market.
