NBA players who have not yet been drug-tested this
season "have discussed boycotting the tests" after learning
last week that "some players' positive results" were
revealed to the media, according to a source of Steve Wyche
of the WASHINGTON POST, who also reports that "before such a
protest was organized," the NBA temporarily suspended the
tests. NBA and NBPA execs declined to comment, but Wizards
F Juwan Howard, who is a member of the NBPA Exec Committee,
said, "This is very disturbing. ... Both parties cannot leak
any information to anybody because of a confidentiality
clause. ... This is the league's business and the union's
business. Now the public and the media have become
involved." Wizards coach Garfield Heard, on the tests:
"There's no way you can keep it a secret. At some point
it's going to leak out. Everybody has their sources. ...
The best thing to do is not test positive" (WASHINGTON POST,
10/21). Mavs GM/coach Don Nelson, on drug-testing coaches:
"It's the only fair thing to do. We should be tested just
like the players. They can test all the way to ownership,
as far as I'm concerned" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/21).
STERN SEES HEALTHY REBOUND: NBA Commissioner David
Stern is interviewed in a Q&A by McEvoy & Bronson of
SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS. Stern, on his estimates for
licensed sales this season: "I think all preliminary
indications are that we're going to have double-digit
increases in sales and licensed products. I mean, not just
low double digits. I mean, we're going to have a terrific
year." Stern said his estimates are "off of what last year
was projected to be in the absence of a lockout." Stern, on
the league's emphasis in its apparel: "A percentage -- call
it 15 percent, call it 20 percent -- is going to be fashion
oriented and that's a place where FUBU and Majestic can
respond to those sort of consumer tastes. ... But we're not
forgetting that the authentics are at the core of both our
business and our soul." Stern said the NBA's varied
demographic has it considering many different apparel
options: "We're testing lines at our NBA Store [such as]
'NBA Logoman,' which appeals to a more conservative, older
audience and FUBU, which tends to be a more fashion-
conscious audience. That audience tends to be more male.
Is there an opportunity for growing activewear for women?
Of course. I know our folks are actively working on
activewear" (SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS, 10/11 issue).
