NBA VETERANS FEELING THE PINCH FROM NEW LABOR DEAL

     NBA salaries under the new CBA is examined by Lacy Banks in
the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.  Banks writes, "Don't be fooled by the
fact that the average salary is $2 million, a record, and that
there are 252 players this season who will be paid at least $1
million."  In '95, 50 veteran players were paid the league
minimum and in '96 more than twice as many will be paid the
minimum of $247,500.  Bulls Player Rep. Steve Kerr says he feels
"terrible" veterans have to sign contracts for the league
minimum," adding he feels, "for that reason," the new CBA deal is
a "bad one."  Kerr: "Hopefully, next time around, we'll have a
strong union."  Banks notes "somehow, the question of how to
equalize pay for the average players must be addressed soon by
NBA officials" and if the NBA's highest-paid players don't prove
their worth, "that could result in the same fan backlash that
baseball is suffering" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/20).