NBA Chief Legal Officer Jeffrey Mishkin said that there
were "dozens and dozens" of disputes that led to the new CBA
between the NBA and the players' union to grow to 400-pages,
according to Peter May of the BOSTON GLOBE. The added
length is due "mainly" to the sections on the escrow account
system and the 50-page drug agreement, in which "all players
will be subject to random testing during training camp and
rookies three more times during the season." There is also
a "behavior" clause, which states that any player who
engages in a "significant and inexcusable" physical attack
on team personnel or anyone in the arena "can have his
contract terminated." The NBA also "insisted" on stronger
language for contracts that circumvent the salary cap,
making both teams and agents "subject to fines if determined
to have acted in a suspicious manner." Another provision
eliminates the trading deadline (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/22).
FAST BREAK: 76ers President Pat Croce, on league chaos:
"We have players flying in from all over the country,
physicals being taken, photo shoots for media guides and
brochures, agents trying to finalize details before a player
can be ours. It's hectic and nerve-racking, but it also
gets you more fired up." Suns VP/Basketball Communications
Julie Fie: "I have lots of players ready to include in our
media guide. Some won't make it" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/22).
