The maximum salary provision in the NBA's labor
agreement "looks like genius" to other league execs,
according to Jayson Stark of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER.
Stark: "Worse, it looks to them as if the NBA's pain was
worth the gain. There are rumblings that the NHL is already
gearing up for a similar lockout. And it's no longer
inconceivable to think baseball might entertain those same
... thoughts in three years." MLB Commissioner Bud Selig:
"I can understand people in any sport looking at other
people's deals and finding some parts attractive. ... [But]
we have to solve our problems peacefully, quietly, and
without a work stoppage" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/10).
D'Backs GM Joe Garagiola, Jr.: "There are some ground-
breaking things that went into that agreement ... but it's
too early to say what the implications of that might be."
NHL VP/Media Relations Frank Brown, on the NHL's labor
situation: "We're locked in. We'll certainly study it ...
but it really has no importance to us until our negotiations
come up in the next millennium." NFLPA Exec Dir Gene
Upshaw: "I've looked at the preliminary agreement, and it's
amazing to me the players were able to get as much as they
did with virtually no leverage" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/10).
In Canada, Cam Cole wrote that, "unfortunately, the NHL is
in no position to take advantage of whatever it might have
learned from the resolve of NBA owners" because it has
extended its CBA through the 2002 Olympics. Cole wrote that
if the NHL could adapt the NBA model, the "effect on costs
would be stunning," as teams could "legitimately slash
ticket prices and still come out ahead" (NATIONAL POST,
1/9). Suns CEO Jerry Colangelo: "This agreement is
absolutely the model for other leagues to look at because it
brings stability to the league. I think David (Stern) did
a terrific job." In Chicago, Sam Smith wrote that the deal
ensures that "no one will get paid too much and the players
on the bottom will make a little more to close the gap
between rich and poor. In terms of teams, the contract
ensures the gap between rich and poor won't materialize to
thwart competition. Perhaps it was worth it all after all"
(CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/10). In Dallas, Bart Hubbuch said the
result might not be a "better product, but one that is more
evenly matched on a night-to-night basis" (DMN, 1/10).
REINSDORF TAKES SIDES: Bulls Chair Jerry Reinsdorf:
"The difference between basketball and baseball is strictly
the union leadership. And while there may have been
disagreements here with the work stoppage, this union
leadership wants the NBA to be successful. In baseball you
have a somewhat different story" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/10).
