The NBA lockout continues, and "with no contract, no
advance money from agents and no team facilities to work out
at over the summer, your average rookie is living like a
college student -- staving off creditors while ordering
Domino's pizza," according to Ohm Youngmisuk of the N.Y.
DAILY NEWS. Youngmisuk: "Certainly, he isn't enjoying the
stereotypical NBA life." Celtics first-round pick Paul
Pierce: "It's terrible. I don't have (a source of income)
right now. I got loans, that's about it." Pacers first-
round pick Al Harrington: "It's been tough but I'm not
spending too much money. I'm just taking (loans) out for
all the things that I need." Harrington does not have a
shoe deal, but did sign with "four trading card companies,
which provided him with some cash as the interest on his
loans accumulates." Meanwhile, the NBPA has a $7M war chest
"to dip into in times of need," and a union spokesperson
said that it is looking to "establish lines of credit from
banks." During the lockout, the league "may continue to
share with players a portion of the licensing profits."
Pacers F Antonio Davis talked of the players establishing
their own emergency fund: "We don't know if it will go that
far yet but we think maybe it will. If it does, all the
guys with contracts, guys who are more financially stable
... will have to help" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/13).
REFS TO MISS CHECKS? In Boston, Peter May reported that
NBA refs "could be directly affected if games are lost, and
few, if any, of the 58 referees have the financial freedom"
to miss pay periods. The NBRA board and its General Counsel
Howard Pearl met with the NBA last month "and came back with
promises that the officials" will receive their October 1
checks. There is no "lockout language" in the referees'
contract, although Pearl said that MLB umpires had it during
the '94 strike. Most refs are paid every two weeks over the
course of the calendar year, with the new pay period
starting on October 1. There has "been no further news"
regarding the status of the October 15 checks, "although a
league source indicated that the referees were told they
would not be cut off without adequate notice." The league
declined comment. Pearl said he is "impressed" with the
NBA's handling of the matter (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/13).
LOCKOUT LOOKOUT: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick wrote, "We
still haven't bumped into a single person who seems even
slightly distressed that the NBA season might not begin on
schedule. Heck, we've spoken with several Knick and Net
season-ticket holders who are actually rooting hard for a
delay because they'd love to get a refund on their pre-paid,
mandatory-buy preseason tickets, not to mention some
regular-season games" (N.Y. POST, 9/13)....NFLPA Exec Dir
Gene Upshaw: "What Stern has got to find out, since the
players caved last time, is whether this new group will
cave. He's testing them. He has to. ... But they'll settle
it (on time). There's too much at stake" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE,
9/12)....NBC Sports NBA analyst Isiah Thomas, on the
ramifications of the lockout: "I think in some markets the
NBA could drop to the No. 4 sport. ... You've got the
resurgence of baseball with Mark McGwire, you're going to
have the NHL on ABC's full network with ABC pushing hockey
hard to introduce its personalities, and the NFL is the NFL.
Detroit is a good example. The Pistons could easily become
the No. 4 team" (TORONTO SUN, 9/12)....Shaquille O'Neal,
sporting a new head of hair, was interviewed by Pat O'Brien
of "Access Hollywood" at the MTV Video Music Awards.
O'Brien asked O'Neal if the NBA season would start on time
despite the lockout. O'Neal: "Hopefully it does, but if
not I'll come be your intern" ("Access Hollywood," 9/11).