Though the NBA Lockout is a genuine tragedy in the most over exaggerated sense of the word “tragedy” and “genuine”, what, with millionaire players battling with billionaire owners for mere percentile of league revenues, there are a few honest losers to be found in this situation.
Small businesses, local bars and restaurants rely on the forty one home games per basketball season to balance the books and support their staff and families. Without the help of an NBA basketball game to usher people inside, revenues for these humble establishments can drop as much as 20-25% for the year.
Also, arena and team employees (the ones not making six figures) are left in limbo, waiting for the go ahead from the millionaires to allow them to return to their jobs and their ability to support themselves and their loved ones.
Of course, fans and analysts might say the biggest losers in the NBA lockout are the players, who are missing their chance to get their champion rings they worked year long for (Dallas Mavericks), or emerging prospects, looking for a chance to prove themselves, and land the big payday.
I say their lottery ticket is just delayed a bit. Business will return back to normal, and their losses will be recouped in a few years, if not months. But the average Joe, who’s livelihood depends around the running of a basketball league to entertain thousands of fans a night, might not be so lucky, might not be so easily forgiven.