The National Basketball Association is on track to make a profit this year, after many years of consistent debt and significant losses. A noteworthy low point for the Association came during the 2009-2010 season in which the league lost up to $650 million. The NBA’s Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver announced in April that the league would make a profit this year, and would begin to see the small benefits of the new collective bargaining agreement. Silver is going to be the new commissioner of the league starting February 1st 2014, when current commissioner David Stern steps down after 30 years.
There are many major issues that Silver will be forced to address as he takes over the reigns of the league. First is the age limit for draft eligible players. Second is the possibility of adding advertisements on uniforms to create another source of revenue for the league. The league says they will wait to address these issues until a new executive director for the league is appointed. When addressing the issue of advertisements on uniforms, the league would be smart to analyze the way that leagues such as the Premier league for professional soccer and the Women’s National basketball Association have operated with advertisements on uniforms. The league would really be in for a boost in revenue, as advertisement prices would be extremely high. The value of an ad on any of the leagues superstars would be an extremely valuable commodity for any company.
The league would be smart to take the process of putting advertisements on uniforms in small increments. The first step would most likely be putting the leagues uniform sponsor Adidas’ logo on game jerseys. The league will also need the approval of owners to set up advertisements on uniforms as an official league move. Although, the process of adding advertisements to uniforms has only been discussed by league officials and owners, it is definitely a topic worth discussing as it could create a huge source of revenue for the league. Companies would pay monumental amounts of money to have their logo on a LeBron Jersey, as he coasts for a dunk.
The league also must address the issue of the age limit for draft eligible players. Many players used to go directly from High School to the league, however there was much more time available for these players to be nurtured and groomed as NBA players. A perfect example of this is Andrew Bynum. The Los Angeles Lakers in the 2005 NBA draft took him in the 1st round 10th overall. Bynum became the youngest player to play in the NBA at 18 years of age and 6 days. However, Bynum played sparingly his rookie year, and was forced into action during the 2006-2007 season due to injuries. Bynum got started at a very young age, but has paid for it later in his career with various injuries.
The jump players must make from high school to college is huge. The jump players must make from high school to the NBA is even vaster. The league must look at the age issue closely and decide whether or not to change the ruling.
Also, the NBA and the players association donated $1 million to the relief efforts with the recent tornado disaster in Oklahoma. Actions like this are what the league needs to do more, to create a better image for the league and to ensure a safer world for all.
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