Appearing on "Larry King Live" last night, Michael Jordan
addressed the current labor situation. Jordan: "There is a lot
of confusion right now with the whole collective bargaining
agreement. I think what the players are really asking -- and I'm
one of those players -- is to be informed of what's going on.
Once we're informed, then we can make decisions based on that.
Right now, we're being kept in the dark. I think that's an
unfair position for anyone to be in." Jordan, asked why he
wouldn't be able to pick up the phone and call NBPA head Simon
Gourdine: "You would think that would be the logical thing, but
that hasn't happened." On rumors of a pending agreement:
"That's the problem, because we don't really know what's going on
and I guess what I'm saying is that we won't know until this
thing is signed. ... A lot of his players may not have the same
viewpoints. I think we should be given an opportunity to make
those viewpoints." Jordan said he didn't think there would be a
work stoppage: "You've got a very profitable situation in NBA
basketball, I think both sides have been very profitable in this
situation. I think an agreement could be -- and should be --
easily reached fairly without having lockouts or strikes. ... I'd
hate to see that happen, but at the same time, I'd hate to give
up something we are certainly entitled to" (CNN, 6/20).
MICHAEL & CO.: In Chicago, Lacy Banks reports that
Jordan feels that he and other "marquee" players should
receive "extra compensation for the extra impact they have
on TV ratings, attendance, team and league advertising and
the league's lucrative licensing industry." Sources say
that Jordan and his agent, David Falk, attempted to contact
Gourdine on their proposal, but that Gourdine "was not
receptive" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/21).