Lock it Up

Three times, since our (my) sports watching days begun, have I witnessed a lock out in professional sports. Twice in professional hockey (94-95, 04-05) and once in the MLB (94-95). These are arbitrary disputes between the players, who are represented by a players union-usually made of up lawyers, former, and current players- and the commission.
Looks like we're going to make it a fourth time. Billy Hunter, the head of the NBAPA, says he is 99% sure that the NBA is on its way to a lockout following the end of the 2011 season. David Stern, NBA commissioner, says that he wants to reduce the players salaries by about $700-$800 million dollars overall.
The players site that ticket sales are up, most franchises have seen great revenue, and strong TV ratings.
Hunter notes that there are a few general managers who are in strong favor of this reduction. These "hawks," which Hunter calls them, if they're inclined, if they want to lock us out -- because we're not going to strike -- if they want to lock us out and they want to pull the roof down on themselves, then hey, have at it."

So where does that leave us, the fans? To watch the Euro league? To invest more interest into a sport like hockey? Or just patiently wait for Carmelo Anthony to agree to accept 15 million a year as opposed to 40.
Gee. Sports. Wow.