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Leagues and Governing Bodies

NBA PUTS HALT TO DRUG TESTING AFTER REPORTED BREACH OF TRUST

          The NBA "briefly suspended" its drug-testing program
     last week after NBPA leaders "complained that
     confidentiality had been breached" during the program's
     first three weeks, according to Mike Wise of the N.Y. TIMES.
     The "program was called into question" because a reporter
     had learned that about six players "tested positive" for
     marijuana during the first week of tests.  Wise, who cites
     two sources with "knowledge of the tests," adds that players
     on 25 of the 29 NBA teams have been tested.  An anonymous
     basketball official: "This is the most tense it's been
     between both sides since we almost lost the season last
     January.  There is a feeling that this whole matter could
     end up blowing up the drug agreement."  NBPA Exec Dir Billy
     Hunter said the drug-testing program's "confidentiality
     issue is important. ... The idea is to provide assistance
     and help them rehab themselves.  If they're fronted, they're
     subject to ridicule.  This kind of exposure just ruins the
     whole process."  Wise reports that NBA execs said they were
     also "concerned about the disclosure, and they agreed late
     last week to halt the drug testing."  After meeting with
     Hunter, the two sides decided to resume testing, but sources
     did not "say why or when" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/20).
          MINOR LEAGUE, MAJOR ISSUE: In Philadelphia, John
     Smallwood writes that NBA Commissioner David Stern made his
     "most definitive position on developing" a minor-league
     system during the league's McDonald's Championships last
     weekend (See THE DAILY, 10/18).  Stern said any minor league
     should target "players who are younger, who think they can
     make it, [that] can't make it, but might benefit from
     playing in a structured situation where they can further
     their skills and ultimately catch on someplace."  Smallwood:
     "In the past, NBA officials have hemmed, hawed and carefully
     danced around the issue, but never has anyone, much less
     Stern, flat-out acknowledged something is needed.  And
     obviously, that something is something besides college
     basketball."  Smallwood: "An [Isiah] Thomas-operated CBA
     would seem to be a perfect fit, but if not that, something
     clearly will happen" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/20).

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