After a 149-day clash between NBA owners and basketball players that finally ended yesterday, the big winners were definitely the owners, writes Kurt Helin at NBC Sports. The owners reduced player incomes from 57% to 50% of basketball-related income, shortened contract lengths, and stiffened a luxury tax designed to stop big-market teams from spending their way to victory. "This is an Attila the Hun sweeping through Eastern Europe kind of win—devastating and total," he writes.
The players scored mostly small victories, maintaining perks like sign-and-trade contracts and mid-level exceptions, rather than breaking new ground. But for the most part, the players just saved a little face, while the owners will save a lot more money. On the other hand, at least one big name apparently likes the deal—President Obama, according to CNN. After playing some ball at Fort McNair Army Base yesterday, Obama gave the NBA agreement a thumbs up, shouting "Good deal" at reporters. (More NBA stories.)
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