Chapter 10

Big Money

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When one of the great sports equipment companies signed a ten years contract with Michael Jordan in 1984, it was considered to be a gamble on the part of the company. Jordan's agent and the company saw the potential in this player, and history has proved them right. Today the sale of Michael Jordan effects totals 2.6 billion dollars!!!

What the company did, was to develop a whole product line of Michael Jordan effects, which was quite unique at that time, with the "Air Jordan" shoe as the flagship, an item which became particularly a great success.

Considering the revenue of the NBA itself, it is estimated that the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan alone generated more than half of it.

With these facts and figures in mind, it is easier to understand that the players want their share of the big money in the biggest of present day games.

In the aftermath of the three months' postponement of the 1999 season, due to the disagreement between the owners and the players about payment, the NBA has realized that the lockout of the players was no success. Some commentators would even consider it as a flop. Consequently the owners try to re-establish the relations to its spectators to secure their loyal support. The aim of putting a cap on the players salaries can hardly be said to have been reached.

Although today's players can not equal the $ 240 mill, which Michael Jordan earned the last ten years of his career, several of today's players receive more than $ 100 mill for a seven years' contract. As far as the big money is concerned, the NBA is back on track.