Their options consist of playing in leagues where the players have less of a say and less of a share with the owners than they do in the NBA. It's self-defeating, IMO. All it proved is that the players are willing to play for less money, with a less-favorable CBA, than what the owners are offering right now in the NBA. If I"m the owners, I'd encourage even more players to go play in second-rate leagues where the players have no voice or bargaining power.
While it is true that neither Europe nor China can pay NBA-like salaries it does put pressure on the owners. Though Kobe and others will get paid less, they will still have both income and options. That was why the $2 million per game number was leaked; it was to establish Kobe's worth outside of the NBA. Now there is no way he'll get anything close to that deal on a per game basis over an extended period of time, but it does demonstrate that Kobe (and others) can earn a decent living outside of the States. If NBA stars did sign to play out this season in Europe it would be a blow to the owners. For one, if this lockout drags on they'll damage brand equity. Second, this is still a star's league. If stars decided to hedge their bets at some point by playing overseas then the owners could find themselves in a position where they reopen to the derision of fans, and present a second-rate product. For what it is worth, the players have done a poor job pressuring the owners. Playing overseas has been their only real weapon to date.
I have always disagreed with this. Players playing overseas does nothing but fractures the union as a whole. The only good thing about a union is that all players should be looked at as equal. Luke Babbitt should have the same say as K*be. So while it will be great for some of the NBA players to join leagues overseas, not all can, or will make it because of style of play. In the long run those players will be extremely motivated to get something done
I'm willing to bet that Billy Hunter comes out and says the owners aren't negotiating in good faith.
I don't see how your logic demonstrates that Kobe (or others) are fracturing the solidarity of the union. In fact, it does the opposite. It is a further attempt to provide proof that the players can generate income without the owners during the lockout, and that there is a danger that some players may forsake the NBA for the rest of the season, which damages the owners due to reduced star generated revenues. Fracturing the solidarity of the union would be an attempt to either subvert the union by announcing that players are ready to give up, or engaging in behavior that promotes one tier of player over another tier during the negotiation. Now if you were considering the limited shelf-life, limited income, and likely limited bank accounts of the players earning $2.5 million or less, you'd realize that it is in their interest to end the fight as soon as possible. Each lost paycheck is significant relative to the higher paid players, and that's where the players can be (and will be) factionalized by the owners. The lowest paid players comprise 40% or so of the union vote, and their financial interests do not likely coincide with the stars. The only leverage the players have is to either play overseas, sit on their duffs and watch the owners rupture cash, or threaten to establish a rival league (which isn't even feasible in the intermediate term).
Woj...... Wish I could do better than this, but....meeting with federal mediator, NBA and NBPA has now passed six hours in New York.
Word is, mediation just now getting under way. Cohen still doesn't understand how Rashard Lewis makes $21 million, but they're moving on ...
KBergCBS...... On serious note, labor talks going on seven hours. Source advises to hunker down for a long night.
paugasol........ Good night to everyone from Spain! I hope I wake up with good news tomorrow about the #lockout
Woj........ NBA-NBPA labor meeting with federal mediator lurching toward nine hours here in New York. It isn't expected to end soon.
Sure ... still tough to say if they are actually making any progress. The owners aren't bound by mediation; it could all just be for show before this thing gets sent to the NLRB
Source in labor talks tells Y!: "My gut is progress will be made but not sure to what degree...(meeting) going to go well into night."
As talks hit 12 hours, mediator, NBA and NBPA are finally breaking for the night. Owners and players will have separate news conferences.
