The Cleveland Cavaliers have the NBA's best record, the world's most valuable player and a perfect attendance capacity.
Yet they're set to lose $10-15 million this season, according to a report from the New York Daily News.
It's a stunning case study that shows just one reason why The Association might be headed to a lockout in 2011.
It may be the economic climate, it may be the league's organization, it may be the product, but no matter how you slice it, not many teams are making money these days.
It's one reason why deliberations over the collective bargaining agreement will inevitably reach an impasse. As per the last CBA, players take home 57 percent of all basketball related income.
Commish David Stern wants to drop it to around 45 percent.
That's a drop-off of 12 percent -- a whole lot of moolah.
To make up for the staggering losses their teams are seeing these days, franchises are finding ways to cut costs. They're laying off employees at every level of management. They're cutting halftime performers. They're settling for lesser players and coaches at lesser salaries.
But ultimately, it's the players who see the most money. And those in possession of money rarely forfeit it willingly.
It's all setting up for an ugly showdown. Players believe it's the system that need tweaking. Owners believe it's the players that deserve less.
Will the NBA bounce back? If Lebron James' franchise can't stay in the black under the current setup, I don't see why the league will, either.
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