Former NBPA executive Charles Grantham says players should have taken the deal: NBA News
The reason, National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) disbanded the union was not just because of the division of the Basketball Related Income (BRI). In fact the players did compromise a major share of their earnings and
according to rumours were even willing to accept the 50-50 share.
However, the problem came when the owners refused to give leverage even on other issue such as the mid-level exception, salary cap structure and bird rights.
The players had ultimately no choice but to take the matter to the court of law and they so last Tuesday, November 15.
The move drew a lot of ire from NBA commissioner David Stern and has effectively spelled the doom of the next NBA season. Players however are steadfast and have vowed to be persistent come whatever may.
However, except the commissioner and the NBA owners, there is one man who knows it all and is not happy with the decision, the players have made. He is Charles Grantham, the man who worked as the executive director of NBPA from
1978 to 1995.
Grantham himself has gone through the process many a times – he was involved in four Collective Bargaining Agreements from 1980-1995 - and believes that taking the matter to the court will only lengthen the process and instead
of having a large number of lawyers, the league should have more certified Public Accountants, who are in a better position to solve the economic problems.
"Today, we spend too much time in the court, with too many lawyers. Instead of having 10 lawyers and an economist you should probably have 10 CPAs or forensic accountants and two lawyers. In this case, (the players are) looking
to use the law to gain leverage, to get a better business deal, when, in fact, the negotiations that should be taking place is with regard to how you divide that (every) $100." Grantham said.
Grantham’s opinions were also backed by the six-time NBA Champion; Kareem-Abdul Jabbar.
"I think they've gone a little bit too far. I think the deal was reasonable. They might lose 5% or 6% of their salaries, but in today's economic times, everybody's dealing with something like that.” Kareem-Abdul Jabbar said.
Although both of them have a point, but the fact remains that all the sacrifices were being made from the players’ side and this is not how negotiations work. Stern and the owners still have 43 days left to mend the wrong they
have done and engage the players rather than giving them ultimatums.
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