$24 Billion. Just let that number sink in.
That’s some cash right there. And I tell you this. If you think Gordon Hayward’s max contract was crazy. Expect many more of that nature.
Off the back of the biggest TV Deal in NBA history. Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant has commented on the deal. Saying that the owners are officially on the back foot.
Per SLAMonline.
“That’s a lot of money,” Durant said on Tuesday. “That’s a lot of money. I don’t see how owners can say they losing money now.”
“It should be,” Durant said [about the TV deal being a potential bargaining chip should there be another lockout after the 2016-17 season.]. “Everybody seen (the new deal). Last year, the fans didn’t really get to know exactly what was going on as far as revenue. But now that it’s out there, feels like we have a little bit of leverage, I guess, as players.”
“Look at it like this,” Durant explained. “Kobe Bryant brings in a lot of money to Los Angeles, that downtown area. People go to watch the Lakers. Clippers are getting up there, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and those guys are bringing in a lot of money as well. Look at Cleveland, look at Miami when LeBron was there. These guys are worth more than what they are making because of the amount of money they bring to that area. That’s a conversation you can always have, but until it’s changed you never know what will happen to it.”
Let’s get this straight. It the players people pay to see. Not the owners. I won’t be surprised if we experience another lockout.
You all hear about footballers wages and how stupid they are. Same with baseball players. Even though the NBA has a cap system. It won’t stop the players for making their individual cases for the max deal.
Players have a voice bigger than ever and they will not be afraid to speak up. Kevin Durant is being light on this case.
Beware NBA owners. Prepare to fork out.
