Celtics Chair Paul Gaston addressed a number of team and
league related issues in a Q&A with Steve Bulpett of the BOSTON
HERALD. Gaston said he is "bullish" on the NBA, as he does not
feel the league is pricing itself out of the market with
increased ticket costs. Gaston added that while the "market is
determining the price of the product," he is "hopeful and
confident that we're going to see a moderation" in player
contracts. Gaston said the league's CBA has "provided the
foundation for competition" and supplies a "measure of
predictability." However, he called the "so-called Larry Bird
exception," where teams can resign their free agents with no
regard to the salary cap, a "very dangerous weapon," as it could
"seriously impair the viability of the league in the long run.
... I'm very worried about it" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/9).
NOT FOR SALE: Gaston said despite rumors, he does not "have
any plans to sell the controlling interest" in the Celtics. On
his threat to sue the Wall Street Journal for $100M over a story
of the death of Reggie Lewis published a year and a half ago,
Gaston said he is "no less disgusted by that article," but that
the chances of recovering "any real monetary damages are slim."
Gaston: "I continually ask myself, 'Are we going to let those
bastards get away with screwing us?' ... the simple answer is to
adopt the attitude that life is tough, get over it" (BOSTON
HERALD, 10/9).
A DIFFERENT SORT OF REVOLUTION: In a companion piece,
Michael Gee of the BOSTON HERALD examines the "expensive" ticket
pricing at the FleetCenter in comparison to other NBA and NHL
arenas, adding "The economics of the FleetCenter have created a
revolution in Boston sports." Gee writes he saw "about 4,000
empty seats watching the Bruins lose" their home opener to the
Coyotes Monday night, and predicted a similar "terrifying apathy
stampede" for the Celtics. Gee notes FleetCenter Owner Jeremy
Jacobs and Gaston "are about to learn an unpleasant and costly
lesson. People appreciate a new arena and a comfortable seat.
But they won't pay for that seat too often if the product they're
watching hurts their eyes" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/9).
