After yesterday's NBA Board of Governors meeting in N.Y., NBA Commissioner David Stern said that he is "considering the implementation of an age limit" for the NBA's proposed developmental league in 2001, according to Scott Soshnick of BLOOMBERG NEWS, who wrote that the idea drew "praise" from NCAA President Cedric Dempsey. Soshnick added that while Stern "didn't set a specific age, he did say that players coming out of high school might not be able to play." Stern: "The purpose is not to use this to undermine the college game." Dempsey: "The NCAA applauds the NBA on taking this position and view it as a positive support of higher education." Stern also said that the NBA's investment in the league "would be less than" $10M, and he "expects to break even" in the first year of operation (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/11). REKINDLING THE FLAME: FSN's "The Last Word" examined the state of the NBA last night, and Tony Cox reported the league "is desperately trying to renew its love affair with jilted hoop fans. Under Commissioner David Stern, the league has pulled out all the stops and invented a few new ones in order to reignite interest in the game. ... After a decade of unprecedented growth it is clearly reality check time for the NBA both on and off the court." TNT's Mike Fratello: "For us in the NBA, it's a transitional period. We lost our number one guy in Michael Jordan, the dynasties have been broken, ... and right now the fans are trying to learn who these new guys are that they're going to identify with the over the next eight to ten years." The Philadelphia Inquirer's Stephen Smith, on the NBA's marketing plan, which stresses its teams rather than players: "I think it's going to be extremely difficult to get back to preaching about team concept because the NBA went away with that to earn big dollars" (FSN, 4/11). OWNERSHIP APPROVAL: In Dallas, Marc Stein notes that Mark Cuban was formally approved by the NBA BOG as Mavericks Owner. Cuban, who "struggled to suppress a smile," said, "Now, the shackles have been removed." Stern, on Cuban: "He's high maintenance, but good. We're expecting big things from the Dallas franchise. ... He has raised eyebrows, but he hasn't ruffled feathers. He's going to stub his toe, but that's better than sitting back and accepting the status quo." More Cuban, who attended a BOG dinner last night: "A big part of the discussion was digital media and Internet. Everyone kept looking at me, so I kind of figured they were looking forward to getting me involved" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/12). More Stern, on Cuban: "He is in a class by himself. ... He's young and enthusiastic. I think it's terrific. I think the owners are looking forward to that kind of energy" (STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/12). Stern, on Dallas possibly receiving a WNBA expansion franchise: "Right now, we're not thinking about expanding. But he [Cuban] has expressed his interest" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/12). HEISLEY ERA SET TO BEGIN: The CP's Jim Morris notes that Michael Heisley's C$160M purchase of the Grizzlies was approve by the BOG, but "some details" of the deal "still must be finalized" between Heisley and Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment. Heisley spokesperson Loring Phinney, on the details: "It's things like shared services. In the case where Orca Bay owned both franchises [Grizzlies and Canucks] they did everything themselves. Now they have to negotiate to figure out who is going to do what. Do you have the same group doing marketing for both teams? Not likely" (CP, 4/12). In Vancouver, Brad Ziemer writes that Heisley "shunned the spotlight, refused interview requests and let his publicist do his talking" (VANCOUVER SUN, 4/12). GIVE ME LIBERTY...: The transfer of ownership of the Nuggets to Liberty Media Group was also approved. Liberty acquired the Nuggets, Avalanche and Pepsi Center for $755M from Ascent Entertainment in March (RMN, 4/12).
