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With the latest news of an entrenched stalemate in NBA contract negotiations, the reality is starting to set in that we may not be able to count on the Utah Jazz to help us through Utah's long winter evenings.
The state of negotiations -- or lack thereof -- on the league's collective bargaining agreement is frustrating, aggravating and galling to millions of basketball fans who are helplessly voiceless in the whole process.
It's not just the lack of sympathy for millionaire players and billionaire owners, but the fact that there is no place at the table for fans to make their voices heard in a meaningful way. Certainly, fans have no legal standing to participate in negotiations, but since the league's fan base is the economic engine that keeps the NBA moving, isn't it strange that in all of the discussions over the negotiations, fan sentiment is rarely, if ever, mentioned?
It's not that fans aren't trying to be heard. A non-profit group that calls itself the Sports Fans Coalition has formally condemned the lockout and explored whether the Federal Communications Commission has some standing to step in and force a resolution.
"It's not just the lack of sympathy for millionaire players and billionaire owners, but the fact that there is no place at the table for fans to make their voices heard in a meaningful way."
In Cleveland, a frustrated Browns fan sued the NFL when it's now-ended lockout was announced, claiming it violated the contractual terms of his season ticket package. There was probably little chance the fan would prevail in court, but there was no doubting the sincerity of his expression, on behalf of all fans, who collectively see themselves as a legitimate third party.
Of course, in the bigger picture, fans do have a significant say. They can simply not show up when the league finally resumes play. To some extent, that happened after the NBA lockout in 1998 that reduced the season to 50 games. Before that lockout, the league had reached a peak of success. Television ratings in the NBA finals -- between the Jazz and Chicago Bulls -- were the highest ever. The following season, they dropped by a significant percentage. Ticket sales lagged for several seasons, as well.
Coincidentally, this latest lockout comes just as the league has reached another pinnacle of popularity, and there is talk in the sports media of that momentum being in jeopardy.
NBA teams are fond of hosting "fan appreciation" events, and players are always thanking fans for their support. But fans need to see more of a full-court press on getting the lockout resolved before they're likely to find that sentiment sincere.
