Stern has hinted at the same belief

Stern has hinted at the same belief, rhetorically asking reporters in December, "What do you think makes [the NFL] so competitive Coach Sunglasses?"

The answer is revenue sharing and a hard salary cap. The NBA can never be like the NFL, though, because the entire NFL television package is handled on a national network level and the bulk of NBA games are televised by local stations. That's where the disparity kicks in. The annual local TV rights for some small-market teams don't even match the contract of the highest-paid player on their team Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses. The Lakers, meanwhile, are about to create their own channel that will bring in a reported $150 million a year or more -- as much as $200 million, according to an SI.com report.

Then there's the inability to attract major corporate sponsors who crave the prestige and visibility that come from some partnerships. The Knicks' parent company, Madison Square Garden, signed a 10-year deal with JPMorgan Chase worth a reported $30 million a year Armani Sunglasses. No chance the Memphis Grizzlies are getting a deal like that.