The NBA Lockout Continues…and PR Means Everything

The NBA Lockout is now in its second month and no good news has been reported.  Furthermore, there is a distinctive mood of political correctness and prudency in the air, as neither side wants to be overly abrasive so late in the game.  The owners are keeping quiet, and the players are doing their best to keep their mouths shut, so as not to embarrass themselves and compromise the mission.

This is a major sign of progress, especially compared to the 1998-1999 lockout season, in which basketball players took a rather brash approach to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.  The sports scene was different in 1998…players had more bargaining power (with top names in place) and the political and economic climate was rather peaceful.  Even back then, when players should have had the league owners by the, er, “basketballs”, it wasn’t enough to prevent a lockout.

One reason for that failure was the flamboyance with which the players approached this very serious scenario.  Players hammed it up, claiming they were “”fighting for [their] rights”, organized charity games for out-of-work players, and made silly statements to the press (such as providing itemized expenses for luxury car maintenance).

This poorly devised strategy led to ridicule and eventually lockout.  It was easy to see where they went wrong: the players’ statements only drew emphasis to the fact that NBA players are way overpaid compared to, say, teachers, firemen and everyday people who really need unemployment benefits.

This time around, everyone is putting on an appropriate poker face and keeping their remarks muted so as not to upset a recession-pummeled public.  This time around the National Basketball Players Association is taking things seriously, with statements like, “We’re in a great position, where guys have worked to put themselves in this place.”

As it stands right now, training camps are scheduled to start in about one month–if the lockout ends.  If the lockout continues, there is a good chance that some big name NBA stars will travel overseas to play for European leagues.  Then again, that could be counterproductive, as players will be settling for less money to play for an entire season…that’s a substandard precedent league owners might welcome.  What will happen come October 1, 2011?

Categorized in: NBA