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Alyssa Bedrosian
Capitalism is the sole reason for the success of the U.S. and its dominance on the world stage. The economic system in which wealth is maintained by private individuals or corporations has created a competitive system in which only the best goods and services have a chance to survive.
Capitalism has created the enormous gap between upper-class and middle-class, and is responsible for the Occupy protests occurring throughout our country. Capitalism, believe it or not, is also responsible for the NBA lockout and the uproar of NBA fans across the nation.
We are now 134 days into the NBA lockout, with games being cancelled through November and the future of professional basketball unclear. The argument is a simple one: The players want more money, and the owners do not want to give up more money. NBA players are suffering the effects of capitalism, with owners not willing to give up more basketball related income.
The NBA and National Basketball Players Associated met for 12 hours Wednesday, negotiating past the 5 p.m. deadline.
According to union executive director Billy Hunter, “There was enough give and take on both sides,” and the discussion will continue Thursday.
Hunter and Players' Union president Derek Fisher may be willing to accept a 50/50 split in annual BRI if they could secure other benefits.
Nonetheless, one question remains: Who is right? Are the players being selfish or are the owners being unfair? Players' Union attorney Jeffrey Kessler told the Washington Post that the owners were treating the players like “plantation workers.” However, most plantation workers aren’t making millions of dollars.
It is fair to say that individuals from both sides have been selfish throughout this process. However, the future and financial stability of NBA owners rests on one group of people: the players. Without the players, the owners have nothing, and therefore, the NBA should be willing to compromise.
It seems ridiculous that multi-millionaires are asking for even more, but it is the principle that matters, and it is the principle that the players are fighting for.
"We're open-minded about potential compromises on our (BRI) number," Fisher said. "But there are things in the system that are not up for discussion, that we have to have, in order to be able to get the season going again."
The players are standing firm on several issues, and the NBA should back the players in these areas. The players hold the league together, and without them, the NBA falls to pieces.
No matter who you side with, it is apparent that an agreement needs to be reached soon. Even if the players are justified in asking for more, they will end up with nothing if games don’t start soon. So I join the chorus of NBA fans across the nation when I say this: I’m ready to watch some basketball.
A version of this article appeared in the Nov 11 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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