An Open Letter to the NBA League Office and NBA Commissioner, David Stern 
December 8, 2011

TO: NBA Commissioner, David Stern 
CC: NBA Deputy Commissioner, Adam Silver 
CC: NBA League Office

FROM: Jesse Feldman, Professional Basketball Fan

League Executives:

As fans, we are all glad the lockout is over. All of the venomous remarks and the looming loss of a season scared us. Many of us, deep down, felt that we would have some sort of season, and were so glad when that wish came to fruition. I think most of us would collectively thank the NBPA and the owners for coming together and making it happen.

And now, as I write this on the eighth of December, I sit in sheer disbelief at the actions taken by the National Basketball Association’s League Office. I am referring to – of course – the veto of the Chris Paul trade.

Conjecture will swirl, Commisioner Stern will be called all sorts of nasty things, owners like Dan Gilbert and Paul Allen will be blamed (rather than the league office), and comparisons to the Heat’s free agent frenzy will be made. While this will catch much of the attention, our concerns are extremely grave and deserve attention.

First, we would like the league to clarify what they mean by “basketball reasons” in their explanation of why the trade was redacted. The fans deserve to know what that means, as there could nary have been a more vague statement made. After a prolonged lockout, we deserve straight talk from our league – not shady actions without clear definition. As if we didn’t feel distant enough, we are now being ushered away.

Also, we feel that the league is dooming future labor negotiations. It is clear that there is absolutely no way the players would have ratified an agreement today, the eighth of December, if this action was taken yesterday. If the league did not want this sort of trade to happen, then the CBA could have included stronger language to prevent it – but they agreed on a deal that did not have such language. As such, they are on very thin ice in using their existing powers to justify such an action. By circumventing the current agreement as it stands they are risking not only alienating the fans, but the players as well. This will be an issue during labor negotiations. Should we thank the league now for the cancellation of an NBA season a few years down the line? Thanks.

Furthermore, what precedent are we setting? This is horrifying. The powers that prevented this trade might have been related to the fact the team is league-owned in an ancillary way – although, it was done by the league office. This means any trade could be prevented in the same manner. This is unjust and wildly dangerous. We cannot help but look at trades of years past and wonder how “basketball” reasons may have applied.

League office, David Stern, Owners – you have now overseen one of the largest abuses of power in the NBA history. This is a sorry day for the NBA, for its fans, and for American sports as a whole. As a fan we are insulted by the league; here is a fair warning:

A lot of your fans are dedicated; a lot of your fans are very smart. If you wish to continue with one the most egregious abuses of power in the history of American sports, we promise that we will organize one of the biggest fan-organized coups in the history of sports. You are opening Pandora’s Box.

If you do not anticipate legal action to be taken by the multiple parties involved, you are wildly mistaken. If you believe your actions will prevent large market teams from attracting stars, you are dreaming. If you believe that the NBA is impervious to the growing collection of snafus – Tim Donaghy, the lockout, and this – and will not snowball to devalue the league during the biggest talent boon in history, you guessed it, you are mistaken.

As fans of the league, and of the rich history of the NBA, we request that you discontinue this sort of behavior and treat the fans of this sport in the way in which they deserve. 

We ask that you allow the previously proposed trade to be approved as proposed, or for a similar trade between the teams to be approved. We ask that you not meddle in affairs related to trading and free agency unless there is direct and indisputable evidence of collusion. Finally, we ask that the NBA issue a written apology to the fans.  

If not for us, do it for the players. Then again, it has been made clear you give neither party very much regard.

Sincerely,

Jesse R. Feldman and Fans of the NBA
Penned in San Francisco, CA