Comments about ‘NBA officials concerned about economic crisis’

If it takes shutting down the league for a couple of years, so what? The players are well compensated, and the owners are worried about a decline in demand to meet the expectations of the players and their agents. Sounds like a compromise in the making that will have to happen. If the whole economy contracts (which it is), then why not the salaries of NBA players. I'd be happy if they'd just eliminate guaranteed contracts so players like Boozer wouldn't get paid for sitting out with sustained injuries. Why should an owner be compelled to pay a player who doesn't play?

it would kill me not to say NBA, but less so than nfl or mlb frankly. I hope "the Booz" is reading this or heard about it, or cares or anyone else, what even the minimum player makes is outrageous. By the way someone that I respect and deserves notice is: Referee Leon Wood. He makes a good salary I am sure as an NBA ref. Let me tell you "about love for the game" In Adult League BAsketball "A level" (a very good league) Leon has refereed games in the off season, this is not exactly a pro summer league officially either. I am sure he does not get a keysize ransom as they have rent out the gym.

It was announced today by the 49ers that Alex Smith's contract has been restructured to reflect his up and down performance:

"The former No. 1 overall draft pick was due to make nearly $10 million in the upcoming season under the contract he signed in 2005. Financial terms werent immediately available, but the 49ers now have Smith under contract for the next two years at a salary more commensurate with his four up-and-down seasons with the club."

This is PRECISELY the position the Jazz should take with Boozer. Until he can prove that he can stay on the floor, there should be no guaranteed money.

A.K. doesn't qualify as the best player on this team and I think him and others (D-Will included) should look at the team and salary cap issues more, than they do. If they REALLY want to win a title then eveyone has to be paid realistic salaries so that there is enough left to surround themselves with quality players. GREED doen't get it done. Renegoiate A.K. or if I was the GM you would be gone this off-season. Carlos if you want to stay HERE you better be ready to take less next year. We have Milsap and a couple others to sign this off season so wise up and play team ball.

Let me help you understand something about union versus non-union labor. It would be nearly impossible for Boozer or AK to (re)structure their deals that way because of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and even if it wasn't prohibited, when a union is involved there is typically an intense amount of pressure to concede nothing in terms of guarantees and pay unless the union as a whole conceeds it. The NFL is in a different situation because their CBA gives the team all of the power and they can force players to restructure or they will fire them and not pay them.

Thats why people are saying that when this CBA expires after the 2010-2011 season that the owners will lock the players out and shut down the league untill the players are willing to make HUGE concessions. Things like doing away with the "player option", allowing the "team option" on veteran contracts, and reducing maximum guaranteed contract lengths.

When unions are involved the process of reducing the the wages/benefits/guarantees of its members is almost always a painful drawn out process, regardless of how rediculous or unsustainable the current status quo is.