Stern Words For Stern

[The Truth]

this is just part of an essay I wrote for my English class. it's about the new collective bargaining agreement and how the league has changed. I would post the whole thing, but it was ten pages long lol. this is just the last two paragraphs. it's my thoughts on Stern and how he has way too much power over the players and the rest of the league.

 

Over the last several years, the league has given less power to the players. Stern has become an extremely conservative commissioner and has disregarded the athletes. Ever since the epic Pacers-Pistons brawl at Auburn Hills in 2004, he has tried sanitizing the league’s reputation. This would be fine if it did not come at the cost of player rights. In 2005, Stern instated the NBA dress code, which required players to wear business casual attire whenever engaged in team or league business (NBA). A year later, he would commence the age limit so players could mature while playing in college. The same year, Stern unleashed a new game ball without even getting player permission; they went back to the old ball just weeks later.

 

The athletes are suffering as a result of Stern’s ridiculous regulations. They can no longer play unless they are of a certain age, they can no longer wear what they choose, and many times, players are fined by the league just for making somewhat controversial comments to media. As if stripping players of their rights to freedom of speech and expression was not enough, Stern now has the audacity to suggest money be taken from athletes that have already signed official NBA contracts. It is time for the players to take back the power, and this new collective bargaining agreement is the perfect opportunity. It is vital people realize that fans are what make the league, and without the players, there would be no fans. No one pays to see the commissioner, the owners, or even the coaches; they pay to see the players. This is their league and they deserve more.

 

Certainly, no one wants a lockout. The fans want to see their favorite teams and athletes, the league and its owners want revenue, and the players want to continue their careers. Both sides need to forget their personal agenda and focus on bettering the league. If the players themselves request freedoms, they could take back power. By demanding respectable contracts, a hard cap, and no age limit, the athletes would have it their way. In the last collective bargaining agreement, the players union made great sacrifices to help benefit the league and its owners; it is time for them to return the favor. The NBA simply cannot afford to suffer another lockout. The 1999 stoppage saw the league undergo major financial losses. Professional sports leverage greater economic activity, especially consumer spending, so a lockout would have an opposite effect on the economy (AllBusiness). Not only will surrounding businesses lose money, but the league, its teams, and the players will as well. With more negotiations and proposals, and less pride, the sides could eventually agree to a pact that benefits both parties. Ultimately, everyone just wants to be a part of the game they love.

Edited December 11, 2010 by HOV

[headliner]

The NBA would not be able to withstand a lockout at this point a lot of teams that are weak finically would go under and we all know the league doesn’t want to see these teams fail. I just think both side really need to pick and choose what they are fighting for because if it turn into a lockout is not going to be good for the players the league and most importantly the fans.