I was amused reading stories on the most recent negotiating failure by the NBA and its players. Particularly, I enjoyed union rep Derek Fisher's observation to the media: "We've always felt there was still a place where they would just not go and they would lock us out as long as it would take in order to get us beyond that place. There was never really a willingness to negotiate beyond certain points. There was just a line drawn, and regardless of what's going on, how many times we meet, 'we're not going past that.'"
In other words, the players knew the owners wouldn't budge on their demands to drastically cut expenses. I think Fisher is a smart guy, but honestly. The owners are losing $300 million a year and they won't compromise? Ya think?
Do the players really think NBA owners will agree to losing only $150 million a year?
Stories say previously canceled games are costing players $170 million in salaries. The way I have it figured, that's nearly $5.7 million per team that the owners don't have to pay. It's true that owners are missing out on revenue from broadcasting rights, advertising, ticket sales, etc., but I have to believe that in some cases it's cheaper to lock the doors than to open them.
That's why it makes me laugh when players say the owners aren't willing to compromise. I don't want to oversimplify this, but it seems to me that if any business is on the verge of closing its doors, concessions and compromises are almost a moot point. You either make the cuts or you close the business. It's not about compromises, it's about survival.