After the NBA's Board of Governors meeting yesterday,
Commissioner David Stern said the time was growing short to reach
a labor agreement with the players, according to this morning's
TORONTO STAR. The league has been operating under a no-strike,
no-lockout deal since October 27. Although the sides have been
meeting regularly, the union's negotiating team underwent a major
change when Charles Grantham resigned as NBPA Exec Dir. Former
NBPA General Counsel Simon Gourdine has replaced Grantham, but
Stern said the change would not affect negotiations. Stern:
"The players are represented by six people. Five of the six
people remain the same." Stern would not specify specific issues
that stand in the way of a deal (TORONTO STAR, 4/27).
MORE NBA BUSINESS: At the Board of Governors meeting,
several items were approved, including the timetable on
completing the Grizzlies and Raptors' expansion agreement. Stern
also acknowledged while the league does not expect to add more
franchises in the near future, the NBA will receive an expansion
application from a New Orleans group led by Saints Owner Tom
Benson. Stern: "We think he has a great group and would be a
great owner." The league will also allow the Clippers to
increase the number of games they play in Anaheim from six to
eight (Mult., 4/27).
FROM THE PLAYERS: The NBPA is entering the high school
summer basketball camp business, "which has been dominated in
recent years by sneaker companies." The union will invite 50-60
of the top rising seniors, juniors and sophomores to Princeton,
NJ, June 20-25, according to Alex English, NBPA Dir of Player
Programs and Bob Dandridge, NBPA Dir of College Programs. No
college coaches will be allowed to attend. Besides playing
games, campers will be tutored in how to take the SAT's, and on
substance abuse awareness, college completion, internships,
HIV/AIDS awareness, money management and agent regulation (USA
TODAY, 4/27).
