We, at Blackathlete.com, felt this article was worth re-publishing, especially after the controversial comments made by LA Clippers' owner Donald Sterling. So, while we continue to debate whether the players should've boycotted the playoffs and walked off the court in order to make a stand against racism. We offered our solution to the issue during the 2011 NBA lockout, which lasted for over five months and forced the 2011–12 season to be shortened to 66 regular season games per team.NORTH CAROLINA, (BASN)—With the recent success of summer league basketball, in which Kevin Durant scored 66 points at the famous Rucker Park along with the highly anticipated charity benefit at Morgan State University in which Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Ty Lawson all participated in…I think it’s time for the players to organize and create their own league that will rival the NBA.
I know it may sound crazy, but if the players are so unhappy with the current system, they should organize and create their own league.
Why should players feel as if they can’t make any money playing the game they love?
But instead of blowing all of their money on luxury cars, fake jewelry, wacky “weed”, cheap women and lavish homes they don’t live in, they should organize and start a basketball league of their own.
Matter of fact, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Arme’ Stodumire should organize a “meeting of the minds and money” like they did last year during free agency, mapping out a plan and revolutionize the game.
If they feel obligated, they could call some of their wealthy Hip-Hop friends to join them in the room like P.Diddy, Shawn Carter, Curtis Jackson, Floyd Mayweather, Russell Simmons, and Will Smith.
Along with these entertainers, they should also invited former NBA players like Shaq, Alonzo Mourning and other influential athletes regardless of the sport they play or have played.
And of course, they should invite Derek Fisher and make him the official “commissioner” of the league. If this is done, there would be no need to go overseas in order to play basketball.
As a result, instead of traveling to China, they could organize and create six superstar teams and travel around the globe like the Harlem Globetrotters.
The money earned from the world tour would generate millions especially during the current NBA lockout.
The first tour would be a 51 game tour, which would cover the United States. The tour would include meet and greets, mini-basketball camps and visits from the athletes to local high schools and elementary schools during the week in order to promote the league as well as education.
Before traveling overseas, merchandise and shoes promoting the league should be created.
The singers and entertainers, who have committed to the idea of creating an alternative league, could organize and perform extravagant Super Bowl type half-time shows as well as block parties. The money earned from these games, merchandise, and mini-concerts could then be used to finance the league and pay the athletes.
Each game would be treated like an All-Star game or the Essence Music Festival.
The new startup league created by the players for the players could have at least twelve teams to begin with that would represent Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Georgia, Texas, California, North Carolina, DC, Florida, Ohio, and Chicago along with one super street ball team. With the NBA lockout, finding ballers willing to participate should be easy.
Even though this idea may sound foolish, remember that the only way to check a monopoly is to create some competition.
Now, this short but important article, should be read and spread throughout the Internet.
The idea is out there.
Hopefully, a conversation will begin and the players will listen. And if you have any doubt that this is an unreachable goal, remember the words of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
Organize.
Organize.
Up You Mighty Race; Accomplish What You Will.
Somebody call Maverick Carter and Derek Fisher.
And let’s get this idea started.
Eric D.Graham, a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, where he received a B.A. in Mass Communication with a concentration in Radio and Television, with a minor in History, with an emphasis in African-American Studies, is currently the Managing Editor of Black Athlete Sports Network, where his articles appear daily along with his controversial cartoon character Bobbee Bee “The Hater.” Graham can be reached at lbiass34@yahoo.com or go to www.bobbeethehater.blogspot.com
