Where the Union missed the boat

[bocelts@scsn.net (R. Bentz Kirby)]

The Union missed the boat when it drew its battle lines.  It has
forgotten that cooperation with the owners lead to the salaries some of
them make and the 56% of the revenues.  The Union SHOULD have put
together an offer that was in the best interest of the players. 
Instead, it has looked to put together something that allows the select
few agents, like Falk and Tellum, make top dollar.  The agents should
not have so much influence because they have a conflict of interest. 
The Union on the other hand, has future and present players to look
after, but is only looking out for the top players and their agents.

The players were fools to let Ewing etc. dominate the committee.  There
has to be a way to take 54% of $2billion dollars and make it work.

The owners want a tax etc if the player's salaries get over a certain
amount or %.  Why not negotiate a reverse trigger?  That is that the
owners have to pay $X more if their profits exceed a certain amount, net
after expenses.  And to enforce this, the Owners would have to open
their books to a CPA auditing firm so the Players would know what they
made.

And what is the crap about the value of the franchise?  That has nothing
to do with how much cash flow you make.

And what have the players done for the fans?  Are any of them willing to
take a cut if the ticket prices for a family of 5 exceed $100 for one
night.  Ooooppppssss, the ticket prices already do.  What are the
players willing to do to hold down overhead?

It seems to me that the Union has only been concerned with obvious
issues that affect the agents pay, and not looking at alternative deals
that could end up netting the players real money and real information in
the future.  And this lack of creativity, combined with a street foolish
negotiating tactics, have resulted in disastrous losses for the players.

The first rule of successful negotiations is to set a goal that is
attainable and reach a consensus with your party.  The second is to do
what it takes to get there, even if you are required to be humble.  You
must seek win/win solutions.  Getting a job by telling the players you
will kick David Stern's ass, is the wrong foot to start on.  This is
business, not wolfing down at the playground!
-- 
Bentz
bocelts@scsn.net

http://www.scsn.net/users/sclaw