Back in the Lebodome: Too Many Lockouts!

From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome.

Of course the economy isn’t fixed yet; if it were, the NBA and NFL wouldn’t be in lockouts.

After watching President Obama‘s latest press conference on the budget negotiations, I had a thought that hit me like a linebacker sacking a blind-sided  quaterback (one of my favorite hits in the game):
the current  NBA and NFL lockouts are linked to our federal economy. All of these lockouts and struggles are no coincidence… America needs its football (and hoops) for our economy’s sake.

What is exactly going on? I am not an expert or lawyer so my next two paragraphs are loaded with links explaining both…

NFL

The owners locked out the players at the culmination of the last agreement  (NFLPA). Why? There were many issues on the table, but the primary issue was the split of 9 billion dollars (tough damn question I imagine). That said, negotiations have been going well and the league may be back by the end of this week. (Huge sigh of relief for my fantasy football league.)

NBA

What a mess. Coming off of the most popular season since MJ’s Bulls, the league said no more business till the numbers are right. When I say numbers, I mean profit. Only a handful of teams turn a profit (poor business model), and there is no salary cap, so there is less league-wide parity. Small market vs. big city teams, ludicrous free agent signing capabilities, and players who threaten to play overseas; things are looking ugly for the NBA. Don’t expect this mess to be fixed anytime soon.

These lockouts (and federal discussions) must end. When the NHL becomes the most financially sound sports league in America, you know something is off. The optimist in me wants to believe that the NFL will make it in time for the next season, but the NBA looks ready for the long haul. What will we do without fantasy sports or a ridiculous Lebron James story come fall?

Although these questions continue to haunt my sleep, I still see the glass as half full.  The current negotiations remind me of a time in 1994 when my father told me they had cancelled the rest of the season, including a World Series (1994) – this was right at the cusp of me enjoying the sport. It took that league till 1998 to get its swagger back. Hopefully it won’t come to this and with the sports at ease, our government may actually figure their mess out.

The Morning After: Team USA Chokes

Let’s not mince words here. Team USA blew this this one. Imagine “Miracle on Ice” and then losing gold to Finland. It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. You knew we were not winning the penalty kicks. Great effort by all and kudos to Japan.

Thought of the Day: Maybe the U.S. Women win the shootout if we take our kicks like this?

Links! Links! Ice Cold Links

• Kenny Powers (Danny McBride) is now head of K-Swiss (NSFW)
• Lockouts apparently force athletes into alternative jobs.
• Not sports, but check out this trailer for “One Day on Earth.”  Just looks incredible.