"Several NBA referees are pressing their negotiating team to
bring the league's contract offer to a membership vote,"
according to a report in Friday's USA TODAY. Union President
Mike Mathis turned down a five-year offer from the league that
included an immediate 18.6% salary increase and total of 60% in
raises. Veteran ref Derrick Stafford: "With some minor
adjustments, I think (the offer) is good enough now. I'd say 20
to 30 feel that way. We totally support union leadership, but we
feel we should have the opportunity to decide what's best for the
group." NBRA General Counsel Fred Slaughter said only four to
five refs want to see a vote on the league's offer (Roscoe Nance,
USA TODAY, 11/24). TBS' Dick Versace: "The rank and file NBA
referees don't agree with where the leadership's taking them"
(USA TODAY, 11/27). The refs requested another meeting with the
league this week. No date or place has been set (USA TODAY,
11/24). In Boston, Jackie MacMullan predicts the dispute will
"come to a head this week" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/26).
