My Critique of Excellent David Stern Interview Conducted by Bill Simmons

by Kevin L. Davis (@EsquireSports)

Hello Sportsfans.  Not sure if you all are aware but prior to the weekend David Stern made an appearance on the BS report giving Bill Simmons a rare interview that spanned a little more  than an hour.  If you've not listened to it for yourself, you should definitely check that out >>>>> http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=6856992.

Although I must admit that my views have been slanted toward the players I decided prior to listening to the interview that I would stay open-minded.  Although at times I felt that Stern was condescending and arrogant, and even felt that at times he seemed a little angry and Simmons for bringing up points that didn't paint him or the owners in the brightest light I think for the most part Stern set out to accomplish what he intended to accomplish - to explain to the common fan what the importance of the issues at stake in this CBA and to illustrate the size of the schism that exists between the Players and the Owners, and to present a united front among his contingent of Owners.

Stern accomplished both of these objectives masterfully by calling the NBA Players the "worlds highest paid union" he shows just how well compensated the NBA players are, and by following that up by stating the amount of money being lost by the league annually.  In these shaky economic times, very few fans will have pity on millionaire Players whose lavish salaries are causing their business to be unprofitable.  He also did a good job in arguing why revenue sharing should be kept out of these negotiations and should instead be determined at a later date once Players and Owners have determined the revenue split, as attempting to do that in these negotiations very well could cause a split amongst his Owners.

However this interview also pointed out some of Stern's weaknesses, as condescending, insecure, and quick to anger when he's being challenged.  His continued statements that the players will come around when the offer is explained to them does that (insinuating their too stupid to understand whats going on themselves) and again even more blatantly when Stern snapped at Simmons that he's "been doing this for 40 years, which is much longer than Billy Hunter has" (which seems irrelevant to me when he admits to having lost the last 3 negotiations that he had against Hunter) seems the best illustration of that.  With all do respect Mr. Stern we all know the league has  grown by leaps and bounds under your leadership, you don't have to be so touchy about not feeling as if you got your due.

All in all though this interview shed great insight on where things currently stand in this labor dispute.  In order to get things going the Players simply must realize that will receive a smaller share of the revenues.  Now we just have to find middle ground where both the Players and the Owners will be satisfied.

I still think the offer reportedly made by the Owners which would allow the Owners to be the sole recipients of the first $900 mil in revenues, and then to split remaining revenues 50/50 goes too far, but at least that forms a basis to start.  Additionally middle ground must be reached on revenue sharing.  Personally I still believe that it should be apart of these negotiations, however I do agree that the revenue split must be determined first before the league can figure out an effective way to split those revenues.