[mikebflorida]

One thing that has not been considered in any of this is the fans.

A major component to a new CBA should be that owners are not allowed to lock out players and the players aren't allowed to strike. Negotiations for a new CBA must start 1 year minimum before the current CBA expires and a deal must be reached before the current CBA expires.

If not, the season ticket holders will be allowed to "fine" the teams $100 per ticket, per game until an agreement is reached.

That should put an end to all this posturing bullshyt.

By the way, the players say the owners offer is "just a starting point", that the 43% originally offered was completely unrealistic and that the new offer is certainly better but we still have work to do". I wouldn't expect a deal to get done at 50%, not to mention the other issues like entry level deals and free agency.

Don't forget, the players were at 57% so 7% is a huge drop for them and huge gain for the owners. 50/50 SOUNDS fair but considering these dumb a$$ owners okayed the 57/43 deal 8 years ago, it makes them look really bad, especially when they were handing out mega deals just this summer!