The National Basketball Asociation (NBA) is back. America's most famous basketball league hasn't played any games since the end of last season's play-offs. The NBA was having some financial problems, which is not really familiar in the league. There was a problem between the players of the NBA teams, and the team owners. More specific, the NBA players weren't happy with their wage they had on yearly bases, however almost every player earns a minimum of one million dollars a year, something most people in Belgium, can only dream about. On top of that, the players who earn only one million dollars a year, are the players who are on the bottom of the players list. The NBA stars, can quickly earn about 18 to 24 million dollars a year, which doesn't contain any sponsorships and trademarks.
Now what was the problem exactly? Well, the NBA players thought they didn't get payed well enough, so they dicided to start a lock-out, which means that there wouldn't be played any games untill the owners agree with the players about several objects. Of course the main object was to raise the wage of the players. It didn't look well for the NBA a couple of weeks ago. The players and owners couldn't reach any agreement, so there was still no NBA season in sight. The fans became dissapointed, but the players wouldn't give up. Derek Fisher, the head of the players, wasn't willing to give up, even tough the fans were getting much more angry, because they couldn't see their favourite player or team on the basketballcourt.
Eventually, after 149 long days of negotiating, the players and owners have reached an agreement. The NBA will start at December 25th, a Chrismas special, where last years champion Dallas Mavericks will take on its rival: LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Jarno Boone
