I generally don't like sports news and I really don't like watching basketball that much so I was a little surprised this morning when I learned that the NBA was currently on lockout status and in danger of canceling the season. Already a host of preseason games have been canceled and negotiations look grim.
It's kind of hard for me to feel sorry about the two sides. After all, on one side we have the owners, a group of pretty wealthy people, and on the other, a bunch of players who are on the verge of being wealthy trying to get more. There's too much money involved for them to be at odds for long so they'll work it out.
It all seems simple enough—but who are the victims?
If you've ever gone to a major league sporting event then you're aware of the scope of the crowds. But not all of them are there to be entertained—there's a lot of people there who are working. You ca easily see most of them—ushers, food service workers, custodians, parking lot attendants. When a game is canceled, they're out of work. No negotiations, no say in the manner—they just have to wait until the principals come to terms.
So they wait—and not get paid. Someone who was counting in work that day couldn't buy the TV or laptop they had their eye on. Or maybe it means they're going to be late on the rent that month. Or maybe miss a child support payment.
Thanks, guys.
