As a child, I worked very hard doing numerous odd jobs to make money. I mowed lawns, sold newspapers, went door-to-door selling candy, etc. If there was a job out there that was paying, I did it. So, when my favorite hip-hop artist was scheduled to perform at the local skating rink, my hustle meter went through the roof. All my mind could comprehend was to make enough money to buy the ticket to the show. And I finally did it. I made enough to purchase the ticket and buy new clothes as well. On the night of the concert, I was dressed nice and smelling good thanks to a couple of squirts of Old Spice I had snuck from my uncle’s bathroom. Once I arrived, my heart felt like it was snatched through my shirt. The show was canceled and no refunds would be given. Wait a minute. Are you telling me I wasted all this money to see this artist perform and he is not even coming? Myself, along with all the other patrons who had shown up for the show, were hurt. I later found out that the artist had taken a non-refundable fee upfront and just decided not to show up.

That story, minus the Old Spice, is one being told all around the country these days when it comes to the NBA. Fans are showing up to games to see their favorite players for the first time and are leaving the stadiums disappointed. It has become a trend over the last couple of years for teams to rest their marquee players to make sure they have enough energy to make a strong run in the playoffs and ultimately winning a championship. While I understand the premise of why teams are doing it, I can’t understand why the consumer (paying customer) must suffer. It’s hard for an individual who has worked extra shifts and overtime so that they can purchase tickets for their child to see his or hers favorite player/players the one time they are coming to their city to play. After that sacrifice, they are let down when that famed player emerges from the locker room dressed in regular clothes to sit on the bench and not play due to fatigue. Really? Really? Fatigue is the reason they decided not to work but still get paid? I can imagine the hard-working individuals in the stands, who just got off work as well, and are tired, can understand that, right? Los Angeles Clippers Coach Doc Rivers gave a very authentic answer when asked what could be done to appease all parties involved. “I just don’t know the answer, I’m on the competition committee. I wish there was an easy answer. I know guys need rest and I know fans need to see guys play.”

What has brought this issue more attention is the influx of money the players are receiving due to the new TV deal that was signed in 2014 worth $24 billion over nine years and advertisers feeling like they are losing money. The networks were able to increase its advertising dollars by adding marquee matchups on certain nights, but big name stars that used to bring in more advertisers are sitting due to rest. We cannot forget that money alone increases NBA salaries by allowing the salary cap to be increased by 34 percent (from $70 million to $94 million). Max salaries for players over 10 years of NBA experience earn a minimum of $30.8 million per year. That increase also allowed role players to receive more than $10 million a year as well. So no longer are the fans and league agitated, but the people who pay for that television time want answers. Commissioner Adam Silver warned teams that this issue will be at the top of the list for discussion during the owners’ meetings next month.

I was in a discussion today with Vernon Blanson (University College Podcast) who made an excellent point when it comes to this situation and gives a different perspective from the average fan. “As a consumer, my purchase of a ticket entitles me to a few things: a seat in the arena, a game between two teams, and an expected level of general safety.” I would agree 100% if the league didn’t promote packages of games using marquee players. So, guess who is on the front of the ticket purchased by a father who will give them to his son for a birthday gift? Not just the team logo, but the marquee players on that team. The same players that are sitting in top dollar clothing during the game because they are tired. Maybe one day the fans will get tired of these antics and stop purchasing tickets to the games. Or maybe they will take my advice when I say, “Buyer Beware.”