"For the second consecutive year, the threat of an NBA
lockout of its players poses an ominous backdrop to tonight's
draft," according to Lacy Banks in this morning's CHICAGO SUN-
TIMES. According to an unnamed NBA official, the league will
impose a lockout on Monday if "disputed details" in the unsigned
labor deal are not resolved. Talks broke off after six hours
yesterday and no new sessions have been scheduled. Banks notes a
lockout this summer "not only would endanger next season, which
is months away, but also the Dream Team's participation in the
Atlanta Olympics." NBPA interim Exec Dir Alex English said "he
has been assured" by Dream Teamers that they will not play if
there is a lockout. While this week's Supreme Court ruling that
owners can "impose work conditions on players when contract talks
reach an impasse" works in favor of the owners, the players have
"a potentially potent weapon" in the form of Dream Team
participation (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/26).
BREAKING POINT: NBA Commissioner David Stern and union
attorney Jeffrey Kessler agreed that tentative agreements had
been reached on the cap, benefits and pension, but then talk
turned to what Kessler described as the union's "financial
independence" (Mark Asher, WASHINGTON POST, 6/26). Talks broke
down over a dispute on the NBPA's logo. Stern: "The players
asked for an additional $31 million for their logo, which was
never in the deal, which we've had the rights to since 1985, and
which we've continued to have the right to under any deal we've
ever made with them. There was no point in having any further
discussions." NBPA President Buck Williams: "They walked out,
almost like it was staged" (Clifford Brown, N.Y. TIMES, 6/26).
OTHER ISSUES: The players also oppose the owners' proposal
to cut a team's share of network TV revenue each year it exceeds
the cap further; the claim that players can't make endorsement
deals competing with team/league sponsors; the alleged non-
payment of contributions to the pension fund for retired players
(CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/26). QUOTE BOARD: NBA Deputy
Commissioner Russ Granik: "We thought we had an agreement. Now
their lawyers are telling them they don't have to live up to it."
Kessler: You wouldn't believe the things the owners are bringing
up and adding to the contract that players never knew about. We
ask, 'Where did this come from?' And they say that this is
something that they discussed with [former NBPA Exec Dir Simon
Gourdine] and that he had agreed to it or was going to agree to
it. It's crazy" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/26). English: "We
thought we had something going. But at the end of the day, it
blew up. They walked out. The players are baffled" (Greg Boeck,
USA TODAY, 6/26). Stern, as they walked out: "We'll see you
either in the courthouse or on the picket line" (Mark Asher,
WASHINGTON POST, 6/26). Stern: "I've been in hard negotiations,
but not one like this." On what's next: "They know where to
find us. I'll be on national TV. We can finish this between
picks, but I don't think they'll do that" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS,
6/26).
