NBA Commissioner David Stern "is expected to announce
the cancellation of training camps and a portion of the
preseason by Friday because of the lockout," according to
Greg Logan of NEWSDAY. News of the league's "unprecedented
action came as no surprise to the players and their
representatives, who branded the move a scare tactic."
Agent Jimmy Sexton: "So what? I don't mean to sound
flippant, but the players can't allow things like that to
affect their stance." Agent Bill Strickland said that there
has been "some indication" that owners may continue the
lockout even if arbitrator John Feerick rules against them
and forces them to pay the guaranteed contracts of over 200
players. Strickland: "They may think that, with half the
players getting paid, it will divide the ranks. That's not
the case at all. Among those without contracts are ... free
agents who understand they will receive market-value
contracts when this is settled" (NEWSDAY, 9/23).
WISE COUNSEL: In N.Y., Mike Wise wonders, "Will the
players stand united for several weeks, perhaps months?"
Wise: "On the surface, the union's lockout fund does not
have the resources to meet the financial obligations of its
players over several months." According to the most recent
report filed in '97, the union had $3.3M in total assets.
Add to that the $25M in licensing revenue and $7M in new
assets, and the NBPA has "less than" $36M to meet nearly $1B
in players' salaries. But NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter and
his staff have "returned every inquiry from a player."
Hunter is also in the process "of securing lines of credit
from major financial institutions." Of 300 questionnaires
the union sent out asking players "whether they were
concerned about meeting their monthly financial obligations,
100 were returned." Hunter said of those, less than 10%
said they would need financial help. While most have
stressed player unity, former NBPA President Buck Williams
said, "Don't be surprised if there's a rift between" free
agents looking to sign a deal and the players who already
have contracts. Williams: "If the players aren't willing to
shed a little blood and accept a little pain, they might as
well start training camp tomorrow" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/23).
