a relatively few number of star players drive the TV deals and turnstiles. They own the lion's share of the endorsement money - arguably a fair proxy for what their value to the league is. Lebron's $30+ million in annual Nike money is probably 30-90x that of Tim Hardaway Jr.'s (using him as an example because of familiarity here) but his NBA annual paycheck is only 1.85x or so as large.
Why are the "elites" ok with subsidizing these huge contracts for the other 85% of the players who truly are replaceable? Tim Hardaway Jr. doesn't put butts in seats - if he doesn't agree to a modest few mill per year the next man up, some guy right there at his level, will. And people will still come because the stars are still there. Strong hunch that TH Jr. will take the few mill and be happy.
Unions usually work well when the relative value of individual members is somewhat equal...certainly not the case now. A smaller union of "elites" would get you closer to that dynamic. They would get enormous paydays and everyone else would get closer to their fair market value - which is a fraction of what these role players get now.
Why are the "elites" ok with subsidizing these huge contracts for the other 85% of the players who truly are replaceable? Tim Hardaway Jr. doesn't put butts in seats - if he doesn't agree to a modest few mill per year the next man up, some guy right there at his level, will. And people will still come because the stars are still there. Strong hunch that TH Jr. will take the few mill and be happy.
Unions usually work well when the relative value of individual members is somewhat equal...certainly not the case now. A smaller union of "elites" would get you closer to that dynamic. They would get enormous paydays and everyone else would get closer to their fair market value - which is a fraction of what these role players get now.
