The debate over whether the NBA is running a profit or not was examined by Maury Brown in a special to FORBES.com, and he noted if the "projected figures are correct, the NBA will have lost $1.845 billion over the last 6 years" and not turned a profit, as was noted by a N.Y. Times blog entry earlier in the week. Sources have provided the net income figures "for the league each year over the last five years, plus projected losses for the 2010-11 season." Brown: "Given that the NBA is saying that they are running at a net loss .... the NBA is compelled to open their books as part of labor law, and have done so." The following are audited figures.
| SEASON | CLUBS AT
A LOSS | TOTAL
LOSSES |
| 2005-06 | 19 | $220M |
| 2006-07 | 21 | $285M |
| 2007-08 | 23 | $330M |
| 2008-09 | 24 | $370M |
| 2009-10 | 23 | $340M |
| 2010-11* | 23 | $300M |
* projections
Brown noted while "some clubs are running in the red, some, such as the Knicks and the Bulls are profiting handsomely." Brown: "For the NBA to get on any form of solid footing, there is going to have to be significant concessions by both the players and owners. When you see a trend of well over half your clubs running at a loss, there's a problem that needs addressing" (FORBES.com, 7/6).
