As of today it looks as if the "current" NBA season will never tip off. Players have recently turned down the 50:50 offer from NBA owners. This is no surprise, as they were favored in the previous labor deal. Owners even pressed for a 53-47 deal.
Now several sources (NBA.com is among them) report that all games until Dec. 15. are canceled. The NBA players union (NBPA) was dissolved and several players filed two antitrust lawsuits against the NBA. One suit was filed in California, with Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant among five plaintiffs. The second one was filed in Minnesota, naming four plaintiffs. They are seeking summary judgment and treble damages totaling three times the players' lost wages due to the lockout. While this might not be the end of the current mess, the damage could already amount up to an estimated $2.4 billion.
The outlook is already very bleak and my feeling is that we will not see a 2011/12 NBA season. Moreover, the rulings on the suits will have major implications on the future of professional basketball in the US. All players would lose a whole year of showing and improving their skills on the court. Aging superstars will suffer most from this. Rookies will be lost in a power-vacuum. Owners will miss their gate revenues and sponsorship deals. The value of the NBA brand will suffer considerably. Maybe beyond repair...
In the end the crucial question will still be: Who will lose more?
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