Should A Third Party In Salary Disputes Be The Fans?

I’m all about my voice being heard, but this sounds like the most complicated thing in the history of man.

You try so hard.

But seriously, this is a decent, if unlikely idea.  Problem is, the TWolves would have no one to represent them.

We do have a say.  If you are that dedicated to the cause of being the third party, if they come to a decision boycott the NBA.  Stop watching, stop discussing, just pay it no attention.

The reason they don’t consider us is b/c they know 90% of the true nba fans are still going to come back the day they come to whatever decision there may be. 

Yes, they know the hardcore NBA fans are going to forget the lockout and go back to watching games and buying products.

However, last year I was starting to hear people I never knew liked basketball talking about the NBA. Basketball was gaining some mommentum and the lockout should affect the revenues coming from these fans.

Also, your idea is very complicated, and would favor fans that have a lot of money, not the best fans or the fans that have the ability to contribute to the discussion.

your voice is your wallet…

stop buying every nba related items stop considering any nba player begin boycotting companies owned by nba owner and you’ll be heard and you’ll see a deal done facter than flash (the real one , not wade) 

stern can be quicker than cp3… I’d bet on….

I feel that whilst the NBA represents the owners as effectively the owners have a huge say over NBA appointments and the Commissioner has to represent them in the cases of a labour dispute, the NBA should almost act as the mediator as surely their biggest need is to get the players back on court.

I wonder if some sort of mediators could be brought in to meet with representatives on both side to try and get some common ground then both sides report back to Hunter and Stern to see if a deal can be doe. If an outline deal could be made before the big guns from both sides meet then perhaps then a deal could be brought together.

Perhaps a respected person from the game could even look to mediate someone like Jerry Colangelo perhaps for the owners and a few widely respected retired players?

Boycott the NBA, that’s how the fans can be effective in this. In the end we are the consumers and we are technically the one’s in power. Yeah sure the owners are billionaires but how can they pay for their expenses without the fans buying memorabillia and tickets to the game. They need us more than than we need them.

If fans divert their attention from anything NBA, we can probably make a change.

Put it this way… if people stopped watching Jersey Shore, would it be famous? No, it wouldn’t be. In this same sense, if we stop supporting the NBA, they’ll feel like they are losing the fan base and feel more reluctant to make a change.

@ohcanada – why would you want to incorporate the fans into this? Majority of us know nothing about industrial relations, no experiences with union and dealing with billions of dollars. I think it’s foolish to have the average joe say something in this.

"I think it’s foolish to have the average joe say something in this."

True, but then it may be even more foolish for the player to either lol.  Some of these players would struggle as a cashier, let alone understanding the complexities of this lockout or the economy. 

The problem with people having any say, is that in order for us to affect these negotitations, you would have to see a MASS movement.  It can’t be just a hundred fans or so saying, "oh, Im done with the NBAs BS.  I’m going to stop supporting them".  In the end, the owners and players know, we will damn near all be back.

For instance, I can say I’m gonna boycott the league and all of its affiliated activites, but in the end there is no way I will be able to pull myself to do that when I love pro bball so much.

Good point, I see where you’re coming from.

"True, but then it may be even more foolish for the player to either lol. Some of these players would struggle as a cashier, let alone understanding the complexities of this lockout or the economy."

Again you’re right, but atleast the players are playing in the league compared to the average joe and have an understand of the league. Not to mention they have representatives (Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter). Correct me if I am mistakened but, don’t the agents have a role in the negotiations as well?

"The problem with people having any say, is that in order for us to affect these negotitations, you would have to see a MASS movement. It can’t be just a hundred fans or so saying, "oh, Im done with the NBAs BS. I’m going to stop supporting them". In the end, the owners and players know, we will damn near all be back."

What you’re saying is true. They know the fans will be back but IF (the fans) are serious about boycotting the NBA if a couple thousand start doing it, majority of people will start doing (it’s called the 100th monkey affect, ex: Occupy "enter city here"). What I meant was, in that sense is when people can start making a difference.

"True, but then it may be even more foolish for the player to either lol. Some of these players would struggle as a cashier, let alone understanding the complexities of this lockout or the economy."

That part was a joke.  Clearly the players should be involved considering they are the 1st or 2nd greatest stakeholders involved, the other being of course the owners. 

I highly doubt enough people would be willing to boycott the NBA.  They can say they will, but the owners and players can take whatever time they feel they want to or is necessary, and as soon as they start playing ball, people will start watching again.  It is a monopoly over the pro basketball industry.  Very few Americans would pass on the NBA in favor of FIBA or another league unless our players moved into those leagues.  Unless that happens, the NBA will be the dominant pro basketball league for Americans (the NBAs primary market).  And anyone who thinks the players can just make a new league and run it themselves are out of their minds.  They have no idea about the complexities of running an entire league.  The market shares, the tv contracts, reserving arenas, hiring/paying staff, draft, preparing an arena for a game…etc.