*FAN SUBMISSION by Akul Arora of New York City.*
“They hate me, they hate me,” Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson told reporters after a recent game against the New York Knicks, “I don’t know why, but it is what it is.” Following the incident, Robinson received an early Christmas present from NBA commissioner David Stern: a hefty $25,000 fine for criticizing officials. As Stern’s power to regulate player conduct continues to grow, it’s not surprising that 20 games into the season, the NBA has accrued an unbelievable 655,000 dollars of revenue from fines on 36 different players, coaches, and owners.
Controversial rulings have become the norm during Stern’s reign. Take the league lockout to begin the 2011-2012 season, the NBA Draft lottery scandal in 2012, and the debatable veto on the trade of superstar point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only has Stern received much disapproval for his actions, they have alienated him from the well-wishes of fans and players. Instead of regarding Stern as a respected businessman and negotiator, we perceive him as a conniving dictator and ruthless enforcer. Now, in light of his expected retirement on February 1st of next year, it becomes important to analyze our perceptions of Stern.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Stern has been criticized for acting out of his role as commissioner by bending the NBA constitution in his favor to validate his decisions. The commissioner derives the majority of his power from the vagueness of the constitution, which states the commissioner should “protect the integrity and best interests of their sports league”. Since the term “best interests” is dependent solely on Stern’s opinion, Stern has the freedom to act in any manner, as long as it’s slightly justifiable by this clause. The controversy in the commissioner’s role arises over the unanimous subjectivity of these discussions, as Stern, who is concerned with the overall welfare of the league, more often than not has different interests than players like Robinson who are directly involved in the situation.
So, does Stern deserve to be censured as the NBA’s monster? I don’t think so.
While it’s easy to label Stern as a villain, he’s simply done too much for the NBA to warrant such harsh criticism. One of Stern’s greatest legacies is the successful development of the NBA from an unstable league in the 1980’s to its current state as an entertainment powerhouse. In an USA Today article, professional basketball analyst Sam Amick discusses how Stern integrated the NBA into international culture through globalization. The numbers from the current NBA season are the best evidence of this expansion, with a record number of 12 international games played, 85 international players in the NBA, and 445 million likes on the NBA’s social media websites. In fact, the league now “boasts revenues surpassing $5 billion”, a significant portion of which is from international sales. Stern effectively transformed the NBA from an American afterthought to a global commodity. By the dawn of the 21st century, thanks to Stern, basketball fans around the world shared a common passion: the NBA.
That’s not to say something must be done to limit the rule-making power of the NBA commissioner for the betterment of the league. Maybe another clause in the CBA or a stronger relationship between the National Basketball Player’s Association and NBA should be in the writing. But, Stern’s few blunders and misuse of authority shouldn’t tarnish his legacy and what he’s done for the league. Instead, Stern’s mishaps should serve as a reminder for future commissioners to act within their authority and with the perspectives of players in mind.
There is more at stake than a high-level executive’s reputation. We, as fans, derive our excitement and despair from the success of our favorite basketball teams. We define our entertainment by the moments we share with friends and family while cheering for our favorite players. It’s important that future commissioners, who have arguably the greatest effect on player conduct, keep that in mind because our passion to invest our time and energy in the NBA is at stake.
David Stern will be retiring next spring, passing the reigns of the NBA to deputy commissioner Adam Silver. It’s difficult to tell what exactly the NBA will miss with his departure. But, one thing is for sure: Stern deserves better than to be criticized after every fine, condemned after every suspension, and booed on national TV after every draft pick. I’m not saying we should put a statue of him outside the NBA league office in New York. You don’t even need to like the man. We just need to respect David Stern for the impact he’s had on the NBA, its players, and its fans. And giving him an honorable farewell is a step in the right direction.
Bibliography
Amick, Sam. “NBA Global Games a Proud Accomplishment of David Stern.” (n.d.): n. pag. USA
Today. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.
Bender, Patricia. “NBA Fines and Suspensions.” NBA Fines and Suspensions. N.p., n.d. Web. 12
Dec. 2013.
Parlow, Matthew J. “Professional Sports League Commissioners’ Authority And
Collective Bargaining.” Texas Review Of Entertainment & Sports Law 11.2 (2010): 179-203. Academic Search Complete. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
Showalter, Brent D. Technical Foul: David Stern’s Excessive Use of Rule-Making Authority, 18
Marq. Sports L. Rev. 205, 186-221 (2000).
Wilson, Michael R. “Why So Stern? : The Growing Power of the NBA Commissioner.” (n.d.): n.
pag. DePaul University. Web.
My boiiii Akul!