Balance of interests critical for NBA owners in the labour dispute – NBA Report
NBA owners weren’t faking when they said they desired competitive equilibrium just as much as a chance to profit.
Despite the fact, both Commissioner David Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver have asserted throughout the lockout that they wanted something for both parties in a new combined bargaining accord; there was often a feeling
among players even that the money is what the owners are interested in primarily.
Still, it was the salary cap issue and not the distribution of revenues that rose as the prime barrier to a new deal in time to preserve the commencement of regular season.
"The numbers are close enough that that wasn't going to doom the season. The hard salary cap is what's going to doom the season right now" said player’s attorney, Jeffrey Kessler.
Quite a valid point he made because the difference in numbers is not that immense and if there was a proper and fair system, both parties for sure would have found a way.
Talks had dilapidated after a meeting earlier in September when players were all set to make a new proposition but according to the owners, players conditioned it on them ceding on the salary cap.
Right from the start, it was clear that all the fuss was about money. Derek Fisher, president of player’s union confirmed it when he blamed owners for focusing only on economical picture and suggested the only option to save the
season was if the financial issue was addressed.
The dispute over BRI split was never straightened out. Players showed some flexibility by proposing to bring low their share from 57 to 53 percent which would transfer a healthy $1 billion to NBA over a period of six years. But
in doing so, they fancied something in return. Highlighting on this issue, the Deputy Commissioner of NBA Adam silver said:
"I think where our paths separate is that they believe to the extent they're willing to make economic concessions that we should be willing to leave the current system largely intact, and our view is that the current system is
broken in that 30 teams are not in a position to compete for championships"
NBA’s perspective is that teams compliant to maintain spending level above the luxury tax levels have a significant edge over team with financial restraints and NBA is not wrong on that. Teams like Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas
Mavericks sharing three championships between them in last three years are among the big spenders every year.
Players are scared that hard cap would blot out the guaranteed contracts and they also dismiss the thought that spending equally would determine how brilliantly they compete.
However, an understanding between both NBA and players has not been reached yet and it looks like the upcoming season will be cancelled.
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