There are a lot of people hurting from this lockout that are not at the negotiating table.
Fans are the most notable as they have no way really to relate to the problems and just want to see games played. We know that feeling because we are all fans of the game. We just want to see our favorite teams and players take the floor. Simple as that.
Obviously the issues are much more complex than just going out and playing. If they weren’t, then we would have an agreement and games right now.
The ramifications of the lockout are having bigger effects. Cities have built development plans around hosting NBA games and many many businesses rely on the foot traffic around these stadiums for a main source of income. The NBA keeps restaurants and bars alive during these tough economic times. There is no relief for these business owners. There is no provision in the collective bargaining agreement for these small business owners.
Their representative are the mayors, equally powerless in the face of this costly lockouts. These are the same owners who lined up for franchises and fought for these teams to get the city to pay for luxurious stadiums — the same stadiums many owners claim is essential to their profitability… go figure.
There is a lot of political face for these officials to save in having games. Not having games means million dollar stadiums sit empty. Not having games means small businesses don’t get business. Not having games means, the finger turns not only to the owners but to them for making bad investments in sports franchises and not delivering on their economic promise.
It all is in play.
So the mayors have banded together. It might just be political rhetoric or it might just be someone stepping into this conversation for the little guys. But the mayors of 14 NBA cities are trying to get their voices heard.
Indianapolis mayor Gregory A. Ballard, Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon were among the mayors included in this letter. It is a solid mix of big market and small market mayors. They all want the same things us fans do — they want the games to be played and the communal catharsis that comes with it.
Here is the letter in full:
“We are the Mayors of our country’s NBA cities. Every year, our residents pack the arenas where our teams play. They buy the NBA’s products. They cheer for their favorite players with passion and intensity. They attend games and make lasting memories with family and friends. Many own or work at small businesses that depend on NBA games for survival. No matter how you look at it, our NBA teams are a vital part of the economic and social fabric of our cities.
“Unfortunately, lost in the debate over a new NBA collective bargaining agreement, has been the perspective of those very residents and the negative impact a cancelled season might have on them, our cities and our local economies.
“We know the issues being discussed between NBA owners and players are complex and need to be addressed to ensure the long-term wellbeing of the league. We are not interested in taking a side. The United States Conference of Mayors has always maintained impartiality in major leagues sports negotiations.
“Rather, we respectfully ask that you consider the consequences to our cities should the lockout continue. We ask that you work quickly to find a way to compromise so that we might salvage the upcoming NBA season.
“We are proud to call our cities home to NBA franchises. As basketball fans, we know winning and losing is part of the game. Rest assured; everyone loses if there is no season.”
That spells out many of the concerns fans have. The point is valid though, everyone loses the longer this lasts.
Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer spelled it a little clearer for Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel. The Amway Center employs 550 hourly salaried food vendors, 66 janitors and 125 ushers. That is 741 people who are not working that really depend on these jobs for supplemental income.
Dyer further adds: “I’m concerned obviously with the impact of a prolonged lockout because we’re counting on $80 to $100 million dollars of economic impact for the All-Star Game. “From our perspective, the Magic still have to make lease payments to us so that part of equation is covered. What we don’t have covered is Kress and the Dessert Lady and Cerviche and other establishments along Church Street that aren’t going to benefit from those game nights.”
For cities like Orlando, the arena was meant to redevelop downtown. And, believe me, it has done that to some extent. Downtown Orlando is a much different place than it was even two or three years ago. A lot of these businesses opened up to take advantage of the arena. And obviously the All-Star Game will bring in a ton of money to the city.
But until the lockout gets solved, everything will sit empty. And while the owners and players divy up billions in revenue, those that really need the money are going to struggle.
