The failure of the NBA
Oct. 11th, 2011 12:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
storytimewithjoeWhat-what-WHAT? The guppy is posting about sports? Before you all begin arming in readiness for the zombie-apocalypse, I assure you there is a reason for this.
When I was a kid, I remember going through the typical American ritual that was sports. For me, it was the bane of my existence. I did NOT want to be a jock! My parents (dad especially), really wanted to encourage me to play sports. Fat kid that I was, it probably would have been good exercise. But the fact is, I had absolutely NO interest. None. I didn’t want to play in sports. I didn’t want to watch sports. I had no sports idols. But for most boys growing up in this country, sports are important. We are taught from an early age to look up to our athletes as role-models. And it is with this thought in mind that I write this post.
Just in case you happen to have been hiding under a rock for the past couple of years, we are in the midst of a historic recession the likes of which haven’t been seen since the early 1930’s. Left and right, people are struggling – REALLY struggling. I know people who have been out of work for not weeks, not months, but years. Luckily for my hubby and I, we are in pretty good shape, despite the fact that neither of us have seen raises in a couple of years. But am I complaining? Heck NO! The country is in need right now, and tightening our belts is just what I think we should all do – especially those of us who can. So imagine my outrage when I read about the NBA strike because players aren’t being given 9 – 10% raises in pay.
WTF??????!!!!!!
Professional athletes are rockstars. They perform for the public, and get ludicrous amounts of money. Yet, they want more???? MORE??????!!!!!!! Some role models! Some idols! Some soapbox-standing goobers for kids to admire! I find such behavior appalling. Wake up and smell the gold-plated coffee, jocks! This country is in trouble. Your fans are in trouble. One of the very few pleasures that is relatively free right now is to sit down and watch a game. And now, there won’t even be any games for a bit because you guys are greedy-greedy-greedy.
Way to go… “American role models.” Today’s lesson was brought to you by the word, “Greed”.
When I was a kid, I remember going through the typical American ritual that was sports. For me, it was the bane of my existence. I did NOT want to be a jock! My parents (dad especially), really wanted to encourage me to play sports. Fat kid that I was, it probably would have been good exercise. But the fact is, I had absolutely NO interest. None. I didn’t want to play in sports. I didn’t want to watch sports. I had no sports idols. But for most boys growing up in this country, sports are important. We are taught from an early age to look up to our athletes as role-models. And it is with this thought in mind that I write this post.
Just in case you happen to have been hiding under a rock for the past couple of years, we are in the midst of a historic recession the likes of which haven’t been seen since the early 1930’s. Left and right, people are struggling – REALLY struggling. I know people who have been out of work for not weeks, not months, but years. Luckily for my hubby and I, we are in pretty good shape, despite the fact that neither of us have seen raises in a couple of years. But am I complaining? Heck NO! The country is in need right now, and tightening our belts is just what I think we should all do – especially those of us who can. So imagine my outrage when I read about the NBA strike because players aren’t being given 9 – 10% raises in pay.
WTF??????!!!!!!
Professional athletes are rockstars. They perform for the public, and get ludicrous amounts of money. Yet, they want more???? MORE??????!!!!!!! Some role models! Some idols! Some soapbox-standing goobers for kids to admire! I find such behavior appalling. Wake up and smell the gold-plated coffee, jocks! This country is in trouble. Your fans are in trouble. One of the very few pleasures that is relatively free right now is to sit down and watch a game. And now, there won’t even be any games for a bit because you guys are greedy-greedy-greedy.
Way to go… “American role models.” Today’s lesson was brought to you by the word, “Greed”.
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no subject
Date: 2011-10-11 08:40 pm (UTC)If you think about it, one could probably argue that professional sports aren't too far off the mark from a secular cult.
Now, if football were played more like Blood Bowl, I might be interested. ;P
no subject
Date: 2011-10-11 09:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-11 11:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-12 12:54 am (UTC)The "Millionaires" (read players) are arguing for their fair share of the money made by the "Billionaires" (read owners). I do not disagree with the players right to get what they can from the owners, who make a butt-ton of money from the efforts of the players.
That being said, every player signs a contract, and in my opinion, every one is currently breaching the contract they signed.
In the end, I agree that I can feel absolutely no sympathy for ANY of the above. I feel for the arena workers who are now out of work while the children argue over (relatively) minor percentages. I am sure that there are MANY people out there who would play the game for a fraction of what these overpaid babies are getting, but then nobody would pay the inflated prices to see the games. It is all relative, and the market will decide how well it goes for all involved.