CBA Owner Isiah Thomas signed a letter of agreement
with the NBPA yesterday "to explore the sale" of the CBA,
but no details of the agreement "were immediately known,"
according to Mark Montieth of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. CBA
Dir of Media Relations Deron Filip: "We'll be announcing
further developments as they occur. But this is still in
the early stages." Montieth writes that it "remains unclear
where" the NBPA "will get the funds to purchase the CBA or
operate it," as operating costs are "estimated" at $7M
annually. Former Fury Managing Partner Jay Frye noted that
Thomas reportedly owes former CBA team owners $750,000 from
his deal to acquire the league and its nine teams for $10M
last year. Frye: "The last time we dealt with a letter of
intent from Isiah it took three months to get it in language
that was acceptable. I'm not waiting any longer. We're
going to press the issue legally if he's not paying right
away." Frye added, "I don't know who in the [NBPA] knows
how to do this, especially on a minor league level." ID-
based Diamond Sports CEO and former CBA Commissioner Gary
Hunter said that he "couldn't think of any obvious reason"
for the NBPA to purchase the CBA. Hunter: "The CBA in its
50-plus-year history is not known for being a great revenue
generator, but maybe they can take it to another level."
NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said of an NBPA deal,
"It seems [like] a novel idea" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/29).
THE NBA'S DEVELOPING SITUATION: In Nashville, Jeff
Legwold writes after last night's NBA Draft that it's "time"
for NBA Commissioner David Stern "to stop dragging his feet,
dig into his league's obscenely full coffers and build an
NBA-sponsored, NBA-sanctioned" developmental league.
Legwold: "Not every high school basketball player is
interested in -- or should be -- playing for Big Shoe U"
(TENNESSEAN, 6/29). In Seattle, Blaine Newnham writes that
last night's draft "wasn't a draft, it was day trading.
Eight of the first 10 players selected last night ...
couldn't legally buy a drink to celebrate their good
fortune." Newnham adds that the NBA "should start a
developmental league for those who aren't interested in, or
capable of, doing college academic work. Baseball's plan
isn't dumb" (SEATTLE TIMES, 6/29).
SID NOT VICIOUS TOWARD THE COMMISH: In Minneapolis, Sid
Hartman writes from the NBA Draft in MN last night that he
has a "special appreciation for the great job" Stern "has
done in building a league that at one time didn't compare"
with the NFL, NHL or MLB. Hartman: "Stern has done a
fantastic job. And, although some of the naysayers are
predicting the downfall of the league, you can bet it won't
happen with Stern running the show. He will go down as one
of the great commissioners of all time" (Minneapolis STAR
TRIBUNE, 6/29). See (#14) and (#26) for more.
