NBA Commissioner David Stern is expected to sign a five-year
contract today estimated to be worth $35M, or $7M per year (Sam
Smith, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/12). Some NBA owners said the deal,
which makes Stern the highest paid commissioner in sports, "is a
reward for getting the latest [CBA] approved by players" (Shaun
Powell, NEWSDAY, 2/12). Stern: "I never considered not re-
signing. This was really agreed upon a long time ago. It's a
spectacular opportunity to continue with the league. I'm happy
to be part of that success" (AP/SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/12). Asked
during "NBA All-Star Friday" if he was going to leave with a new
deal to stay on as Commissioner, Stern said, "I'm looking for
David Falk to see if he wants to represent me" (TNT, 2/9).
NO SHOWS: NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said Michael
Jordan would be fined $10,000 for missing interview sessions
Friday. Granik: "We'd prefer he be here, but it's not something
we'll lose a lot of sleep over" (N.Y. POST, 2/10). Charles
Barkley was also a no-show. ESPN's Karl Ravech: "They were
allegedly teeing it up somewhere else, so they had a legitimate
excuse" ("SportsCenter," 2/9).
FUTURE SITES: Stern confirmed that Philadelphia, Portland
and New York are under consideration to host the '98 All-Star
Game (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 2/10).
STARS ON PARADE: NBA All-Star Weekend coincided with the
opening of the new Planet Hollywood in San Antonio, which drew
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, among others
(SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 2/11).
JAM SESSION ATTENDANCE: A total of 110,164 fans attended
the NBA All-Star Jam Session Presented by Fleer last week. The
peak was Saturday, with 40,356 (NBA).
