Who hasn’t felt the effects of the economy. In recent times of economic strife, sports is usually one realm who maintained business as usual or continued to grow.
This year’s superbowl saw a decline in the number of lavish events surrounding the festivities. All-Star Game, same trend. This proverbial tightening of the purse strings continued right up to the NBA trade deadline.
This year saw a flurry of trade activity however a good portion of it wasn’t motivated by a desire to make the teams better but more about cutting the bottom line. The salary cap will go down if not this summer then in the fabled summer of 2010.
Teams began making cost cutting moves last summer (the Nuggets trade of Marcus Camby to the Clippers for a 2nd round pick and two clear gummi bears comes to mind), the trade of AI to Detroit for Chauncey Billups (great move for Denver, sucks to be a Piston fan right now)
the failed trade attempt of Tyson Chandler from the Hornets to the Thunder. (although I can understand toe issues, quite a few of my favorite pairs of shoes leave me missing a baby toe at the end of the night)
I know the owners need to be saved from themselves, after all they caused this mess (I bet the GM that gave KG all that money tosses his cookies every time the Celtics are on TNT) but is it fair to the fan? How do you show loyalty to your team that dismisses entire seasons to wait for the mythical free agent magic bullet. How do you throw out that $300 for 2 seats in the lower bowl for a team that trades away players to get half a million under the salary cap!
Is it win at all costs or win at any cost as long as it doesn’t rub our bottom line?