NBA Lockout - A Marketing Perspective

In my opinion there are two major Sports Seasons to watch. You either Follow MLB/NFL in the Fall and Winter, then there Is NBA/NHL just after that. Year round sports is a beautiful thing.

Now what happens when one of these entities disappears from the Market?! Well, NBA prepare to magically disappear. I will address two topics quickly here that standout to me.

(Why?)
Because their are other options for the players. Because, The Players have way more pull and less risk of falling off a cliff physically if there is no season. A lot may say they want to resolve this lockout ASAP, but there is a huge reason that NFL HAD to have a season that doesn't apply to the NBA. You see in the NFL almost every player has a ticking clock hung around their neck from Draft day. Most players have a peak 3-5 year span and then decline rapidly. It's a physical, taxing game in that way. Well, in the NBA, players can usually put in a solid 10 seasons and still go strong under the right conditions. AND add the fact that foreign teams are willing to pay the players to travel the world and play the sport and actually become better for the experience. the NBA owners have ALOT less to bargain with then the NFL does.

(Filling the Gap)
ATTENTION MLS, NHL and hell, even AMRNL(really...?)
This is your chance! I love watching Soccer, Hockey and Rugby. But, most americans are not quick to buy in to these foreign sports. However, when the market opens with that enormous gap the NBA will leave, SOMEONE has to fill it. Soccer is probably the Front Runner, but I really wish the AMRNL would First change their name to ARL and then make a push. Think of it like this, Football ends and we have to shift to NHL to satisfy our insatiable need for contact sports. Well the American Rugby League would be AWESOME. So, somebody hire a marketing firm and make this happen! NHL will definitely boost its popularity with no NBA to battle, but curb your expectations because the NHL is notorious for their horribly atrocious lack of Marketing.

With all this being said, its just my opinion and at the same time, I'd love for the NBA to come back this year. I just highly doubt that is going to happen.

Posted in: NBA Lockout