With the NFL lockout over and the games back in action, you would assume that America's sports world is on the up and up. But, the NBA lockout has cast its shadow on the sports industry and it appears to have a bigger hill to climb. The NFL lockout was for the most part geared on how the league should split the big money pie of roughly $9million dollars in revenue. Whereas the NBA lockout is catered to figure out how to help generate revenue for nearly half of the leagues teams who suffer from financial loss. For example, take the Cavaliers who as recently as two years ago were generating high profit within a small market, of course with the help of LeBron James. But with the small market comes small interest for free agents, ie King James's departure to the sunny side of South Beach Florida, and other free agents who do not see any potential to better their chances to win a championship or market themselves effectively. There are other key differences that will affect the NBA lockout differently both financially and socially.
The biggest difference problem that can slow down the NBA lockout progression that the NFL did not have to worry about is the competition and opportunity the players have from other leagues such as overseas. Playing over seas has become one of the biggest targets for most players in the NBA. The best thing about playing overseas is the foreign owners and managements understanding of the NBA lockout and their cooperation with its progression. This gives players more options and the ability to leave their commitment from the teams overseas if and when the lockout ends. This can just be a band aid for players in order to stay in shape and relevant, but for the league, this can pose many problems. Injuries, contract leverage, and the foreign competition to keep the players overseas by paying more are all key factors that the NBA will have to deal with once the lockout ends. These factors will have many financial implications that are going to give players a bigger sense of entitlement if their demands within the lockout are not met.
Socially, the NBA has never really had a positive reputation from the players or the fans so with the lockout in full affect, this will only cast a darker shadow on their image. Commissioner David Stern has taken heat from players, fans, and even coaches for his dictatorship decisions and punishments. Today, while only a few weeks removed from the NFL lockout, the NFL has put up big bucks in marketing and fan appreciation campaigns in order to gain back the love and respect of its fans. There will be a similar course of action for the NBA once, or if, their lockout ends. And with a slogan like "The NBA Cares", there will be a whole lot of making up to do in order to prove how much.
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