NBA LOCKOUT: ZERO HOUR IS FAST APPROACHING

With a few days left before the expiration of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NBA team owners and the players on June 30, tensions are being felt everywhere and these next few days are considered as the 11th hour. From the look of things, the lockout seems inevitable with both sides not giving an inch to the negotiations. The lockout will automatically takes effect on the first of July if no agreement is forge by both parties. It means the owners shall lock the players out of their team facilities and to the extent of cancelling the 2011-12 season. Two matters has remained the hottest issues in the negotiating table namely, the hard salary cap (which the owners want to eliminate all exceptions) and Basketball Related Income (BRI). The current CBA stipulates a 57-43 distribution of BRI in favor of the players but this time, the owners wanted a split of 50-50, which the players union of course will not agree. The time between now and June 30 is very tight to avoid the lockout but still, both parties can reach a certain compromise like extending the current CBA for another year to save the coming season. Both parties must realize that it is not only players who will suffer but the biggest victims will be the worldwide followers of the league. The NBA commands the largest network of global followers than any of the other major league sports in the US like the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Soccer (MLS). These two groups must also realize that it is the fans, which gives life to the league. But with the billions of dollars involved, everyone connected with the league wants a big share of the pie. It’s a pity that money is killing the sport that we all love.