Who The 2011 NBA Lockout is Really Afftecting

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past three months, you would know that the NBA is currently in lockout. The NBA and NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) have thus far failed to reach an agreement and the first two weeks of games have already been canceled. The lockout doesn’t suit either of the parties, as they are both losing huge amounts of money, and could lose even more should the whole season be cancelled. More importantly however, it affects the fans The people that made the NBA what it is today, the people that watch their favorite team play day in and day out, the people that buy official merchandise even through these tough economical times, the ones that flat out love the game.

The NBA and NBPA are currently in negotiations over what their Basketball Related Income (BRI) should be.The latest offer from the NBA was a 50-50 split as reported by Chris Boussard for ESPN. This is a fair amount of money and more than enough especially taking into account the current economical situation. They will both eventually make the money, but the fans will never eventually get to watch the two weeks of basketball that have canceled. These fans are losing their favorite past time due to greedy players who have no love for the game. “I think they're both kind of selfish,” said Sam Wallace, 46, of Ardmore. “They're leaving the fan out in the cold.”

The fans are being robbed, and it is extremely unfair. The NBA players may have five cars and can go on vacation any time they want, but for some people there is no greater joy then getting home from work and watching a good game of basketball.“I don't know what I'm going to do if it drags on,” said Glenda Love, 68, of Oklahoma City. “I am so hungry and so ready for NBA basketball, I've been watching the NBA channel and watching 1993 playoff games.”

The lockout should end immediately, the players and owners need to realize how selfish they are being and quit being babies. The fans need the NBA, and the NBA needs its fans; this needs to end now.