Tension between the NBA and its coaches "deepened"
yesterday, as the league levied $100,000 fines to both the
Raptors and the Sonics for their coaches refusing to wear
microphones during Sunday's Raptors-Sonics game on NBC,
according to Mike Wise of the N.Y. TIMES. Meanwhile, the
exec board of the National Basketball Coaches Association
(NBCA) "implied yesterday that it may take legal action to
prevent the league from forcing coaches to wear
microphones." NBCA Exec Dir Michael Goldberg: "Enough of
[the coaches] feel strongly about it that we feel duty-bound
to support them. If the league insists on maintaining this
stance, the association will have no choice but to explore
all the options available to it to support its members who
do not wish to be miked while they coach." One Eastern
Conference team official said that the issue has "created a
division in the league office," as there is "concern among
some league officials that the move is an overreaction to
low ratings." But NBC Sports Chair Dick Ebersol said, "In
all fairness, this issue is not a television issue. This is
all part of an Internet strategy -- and not a bad one to be
pursuing at that" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/14). NBA Commissioner David
Stern told George Vecsey of the N.Y. TIMES yesterday, "I
thought we were all on the same page on this. We are in a
new generation that is used to being interactive." But
Vecsey writes that there is "concern among coaches and
players" that NBA Entertainment, led by Adam Silver, "is
gaining power from the basketball wing" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/14).
Stern added yesterday that the controversy over cameras in
the locker room "has been misinterpreted as well." Stern:
"As we told coaches, (cameras in the locker room) is purely
voluntary and it's only the first 30 [seconds] of the
halftime when people walk into the locker room. And it's
with the sound off. It's not open access to the locker
rooms. We would never do that" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 3/14).
NOT GOING TO TAKE IT? Goldberg: "We're not going to sit
idly by while coaches are forced to do something they feel
is wrong to do. There are many coaches who feel it has a
negative impact on their ability to do their jobs. We feel
it's improper to force them to do it" (USA TODAY, 3/14).
STANDING BY THEIR COACH: Sonics Owner Barry Ackerley
released a statement yesterday supporting coach Paul
Westphal, who refused to wear a microphone on Sunday. Two
league sources said the team has until March 27 to pay the
fine, and Westphal said that "while he would ultimately
write the check, it is his hope that the league will rescind
the penalty." Westphal: "I'm surprised it's come this far.
I hope they come to their senses soon. ... If I was the
players' association, I'd be up in arms. It's just wrong on
so many levels." Meanwhile, the NBA said that it would
"continue to require coaches to wear microphones," adding
that teams "could receive stiffer fines if coaches don't
comply" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 3/14). NBA Dir of
Sports Media Services Seth Sylvan said the teams' only
appeal option on the $100,000 fine is to "go in front of the
commissioner and to talk it out" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/14).
WAITING FOR TONIGHT: In Houston, Jonathan Feigen
reports that Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich "will don a
microphone" for tonight's game on TNT. Tomjanovich: "I
really did feel safe when they said they wouldn't go live.
They want to promote the league, and if there is an
uncomfortable situation, those things would not be put on
the air" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/14). In N.Y., Ohm Youngmisuk
writes that Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy is still unsure if
he will wear a mic for tonight's game, and is waiting to
talk to MSG President Dave Checketts. Youngmisuk notes that
Van Gundy said on Sunday that a friend who worked at NBC
"told him about the possibility that a bootleg tape
containing highlights of coaches' comments" "was in the
works." Van Gundy said such material would be enough for
him to refuse to wear the microphone tonight (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 3/14). But NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay cites a Turner
spokesperson as saying that both Tomjanovich and Van Gundy
"have agreed to wear" microphones (NEWSDAY, 3/14).
NHL COACHES HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH MICS: In L.A., Helene
Elliott writes, "Unlike many NBA coaches who say they will
defy a league edict asking them to wear microphones during
national TV games, NHL coaches want to be wired." Red Wings
coach Scotty Bowman, who is trying to start an NHL coaches'
association, said his peers told NHL execs that they are
willing to be wired to enhance telecasts. Bowman: "It's a
perk that we gave them. We want to grow the league and the
TV end. We're hoping to get some cooperation (from the
league) for marketing" (L.A. TIMES, 3/14).
