Suggestion: get the locked-out NBA players to do exhibition game fundraisers for Occupy

[Ken Burch]

They can probably relate to what OWS is saying at this point...and it's not like they have anything else going. Besides, they owe it to the fans to give back in that way.

[KamaAina]

1. Suh-WEET!

:bounce:

edit: The teams could be The 99% (Harlem Globetrotters) vs. The 1% (Washington Generals).

[FarCenter]

2. NBA players are mostly part of the 1%

WHERE ATHLETES LIVE: Five Neighborhoods That Are Teaming With Pros


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/professional-athlete-towns-2011-11

[taterguy]

3. A lot of NBA fans don't necessarily agree with OWS

Especially the ones who buy tickets to games.

They have done some exhibition games for players' personal charities though.

[RZM]

4. Probably not

I don't think 'tax the rich' goes over so well with people in their bracket - especially since they aren't making money at the moment. I believe the whole beef with the owners is about money, so I find it unlikely that people who are not playing because of that kind of dispute would turn around and endorse a movement that wants to tax them more.

Not to mention that many probably wouldn't want to risk injury in exhibition games that they weren't getting paid for.

You could probably find some players who would endorse OWS, but I suspect not many.

[blkyoda]

5. NBA lockout and OWS

I totally agree with this idea. In fact, it would really highlight just the grotesque discrepancy between the owners and the players. These guys are having a fit about a HOBBY while players, concession stand workers, janitors and the like are actually missing paychecks. Check out what Sell-outs like player turned "owner" Michael Jordan are saying http://politic365.com/2011/11/15/michael-jordan-is-a-sell-out-who-wants-healthcare/ and tell me that an OWS pick-up game wouldn't work.

[Ken Burch]

6. Perhaps it could lead to the players and the fans reclaiming sports

from the owners and the advertisers.

[doc03]

7. They are part of the 1%. n/t

[DainBramaged]

8. Getting them to do anything to help anyone is a joke

nice thought though.

[Ken Burch]

9. The intransigence of the owners may make the scales fall from the players' eyes.

n/t.