OT - NBE to lose $400,000,000

[Mark Padgett]

An article in Parade magazine this morning said the NBE, as a league, will lose a total of $400,000,000 this season, which is about twice as much as they've ever lost before in a single season. They're blaming poor attendance caused by the recession.

The article, written by someone named Stephen Fried, give six suggestions (he calles them "saves" - maybe he thinks the NBA is a hockey league) to "improve pro basketball". The suggestions are made by player agents and one Sports Illustrated writer.

1 - change the foul rules so a player needs eight to foul out with numbers six and seven also resulting in technicals

2 - increase scoring by shortening the shot clock to 20 seconds or create a four point play

3 - raise the age limit to require a kid to be out of HS for at least three years before joining the NBE so players could establish a college fan base to carry with them into the pros

4 - encourage quirk - you can figure this one out yourselves

5 - change the trade rules - eliminate the rule that says traded players salaries have to match up

6 - shorten the season - too many regular season games decrease the importance of each individual game

I've got one more - play "real" basketball by "real" rules - and enforce them.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I've got one more - play "real" basketball by "real" rules - and enforce them.

Mark, can you explain to me what "real" basketball rules are? If I recall, most rules the NBA has, we have at all levels, like the 3 point line.

Peace

[Jurassic Referee]

Those loss figures were put out by the NBA during the present run-up to negotiating a new collective bargaining contract. They're about as believable as anything put out during any sport contract negotiating period.

Stay tuned for a follow-up story planted by the players union saying the NBA made $400 million last year.

As usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

And also as usual, any tax expert worth his forked l'il tail can turn a $400 million profit into a $400 million loss....or vice-versa.... at the flick of a computer key anyway.

Same sh!t, different day, different sport.....shrug.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Mark, can you explain to me what "real" basketball rules are? If I recall, most rules the NBA has, we have at all levels, like the 3 point line.

Peace

Rut - I think you know I meant enforcing the actual rules, like traveling. I guess I should have been more specific. Thanks for pointing that out.

BTW - you gonna watch the Blackhawk game tonight?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Rut - I think you know I meant enforcing the actual rules, like traveling. I guess I should have been more specific. Thanks for pointing that out.

BTW - you gonna watch the Blackhawk game tonight?

I don't know about him, but I'll be watching the Flyers game tonight.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Rut - I think you know I meant enforcing the actual rules, like traveling. I guess I should have been more specific. Thanks for pointing that out.

BTW - you gonna watch the Blackhawk game tonight?

Considering that traveling is not called properly at all levels, that is why I asked.

And something tells me that before the finals you probably could not name 5 players on each team.

I probably will watch the both back and forth, but that is because I am bored.

Peace

[grunewar]

Here in DC, and the oft game I see on TV, I see a lot of "fans" dressed as empty seats. I get emails during the season asking if I want lower level $120 seats for the Wizards for $20 some games. Only problem, it's usually the Wizards vs Nets, Sixers, or Knicks (or another stellar team).

Concur that it appears attendance is way down. Yet, the players continue to want these HUGE salaries (as they do in all sports). Unless TV revenues continue to pay the bills, something will have to give one of these days.......

[26 Year Gap]

Figures lie and liars figure. Yup, it's collective bargaining re-negotiation time. Attendance is a reflection of the economy in general.

And....."Lets go, FLY-ERS!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

And....."Lets go, FLY-ERS!

They're going......

[Lcubed48]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Figures lie and liars figure. Yup, it's collective bargaining re-negotiation time. Attendance is a reflection of the economy in general.

Here's how I've always heard this cliche - figures don't lie, but liars do figure.

Go Blackhawks !!!!

[Nevadaref]

Saw a commercial by the league thanking the fans for a great season.

How does the league make that ad while at the same time reporting staggering losses? Seems disingenuous.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Saw a commercial by the league thanking the fans for a great season.

How does the league make that ad while at the same time reporting staggering losses? Seems disingenuous.

Guess they don't want to lose those few they still have left.......