2011 Biggest Sports Story: "The Year of Bargaining"

The realignment of the labor agreements in all major sports consisting: the NFL, NBA and MLB, were without a doubt the biggest stories of 2011 sports calendar year. We’re talking about sporting markets that makes American sports and our athletes so unique and special. Each sport holds a specific season and time of year where Fans are excited from their end of work week to unwind, gather their family and friends, start up the grill and watch their favorite sport interest.

Major League Baseball, “Americas Past Time”, the sport where every child in the country has heard stories of, passed down from generation-to-generation. Out of all three leagues, Major League Baseball probably transitioned a new Collective Bargaining Agreement “C.B.A” with the least amount of press coverage and positional bargaining standpoints. Commissioner Bud Selig and Player Association Director Michael Weiner agreed to a 5yr deal to reinsure league play.

The National Basketball Association however was one of the most storied association lock out’s in its’ history. Losing two and a half months worth of games, and playing a shortened sixty-six game season, were a number of injuries occurred at a drastic rate.  The positional bargaining on each side was far off than any negotiation amongst all three leagues. Commissioner David Stern and Player Association Director Billy Hunter, with the help of league wide representation from each team came to a ten-year agreement.

The National Football League, “America’s Game”, this coveted backyard game for nearly every family in the country carries the largest fan base, according to “therichest.org”. Football is the sport of choice across the country. League Commissioner Roger Goodell and Player Association Director DeMaurice Smith, worked diligently over the one hundred thirty two day lockout. Nearly threatening the entire football season, both sides were able to agree to a new C.B.A that will last to 2021.

Sports in this country, has been the nations living room recreational activity since the beginning of each sport. Imagine erasing each sports for the entire year, in some associations, two years to a country largely populated with middle-class blue collar individuals who’s work weeks end every weekend with the thought of rooting for their favorite team. Seeing our athletes perform on stages the vast majority of the nations fans can only dream of. The collective bargaining agreements in 2011 were vital for the country and by far the story of the year.