Dennis Rodman doesn’t see a NBA season taking place; Tells the players to be ready for pay cuts
Dennis Rodman is never one to hold back his words and the former Detroit Pistons forward has now declared that he doesn’t see an NBA season taking place next year. Rodman, an outlandish presence on and off the court, spoke to reporters
regarding the matter after his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Rodman is no stranger to controversy or to money. As a player, he achieved a lot of success, winning a NBA World Championships with the Detroit Pistons and then with the Chicago Bulls. Rodman also made a lot of money during his
career. His colourful personality drew in sponsorship and endorsement deals, while the player also branched into movies.
He earned his largest pay check whilst playing for the Bulls, alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. In that dominating team Dennis made around $9 million for the 96-97 NBA season, soon after which, the NBA went into its
first lockout.
That time the season was saved, although games were lost and generally the outcome was viewed as a win for the players. Dennis though, doesn’t see that happening this time around,
“It’s going to be a lot worse. There probably won’t be a season,” Rodman said.
He also gave his advice to the NBA players; decertify and sue the league.
“Unless the players do what the NFL did. They’ve got to really cut a lot of money. Those eight-figure salaries gotta go. Paying these players eight figures and they get hurt with a guaranteed contract, you can’t take that money
back.”
His comment that the large salaries have to go must have taken a lot of NBA players by surprise. The truth of the matter is the money made today by NBA athletes only half as good as Rodman was, is much more than he ever made and
it does seem odd to many NBA fans.
However, if it is taken into context of what the league is making, then the Hall of Famer’s assertions seem off the mark. The NBA players never demanded a certain number in terms of salary. It was the players back in the 1990’s
that pushed through the formula that dictates the large pay checks handed out today.
That formula is based on percentages, and it certainly makes sense. It is also what the current crop of players is holding out for. They get 57 percent of the BRI, which they have agreed to bring down to 54 percent. That’s a substantial
cut considering the 57 percent amounted to over $2 billion last season.
The owners though want an end to the percentage equation. They want a set figure, around $2 billion and possibly lower, which will be paid out to the player. The rest will be taken by the league, which seems unfair because as a
percentage that $2 billion shrinks every year.
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