Members of the Knight Commission, a panel of educators studying possible reforms in college athletics, told NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik on Tuesday that "it might be a good idea" if the NBA's new National Basketball Developmental League (NBDL) "considers signing some players directly out of high school if those players don't take a college education seriously," according to USA TODAY's Jack Carey. But Granik said that the new league "doesn't intend to sign any players younger than 20 and that the NBA isn't starting a league to compete against college basketball." Granik said that bringing teenagers out of high school, "even for a minor league, might not be in the best long-term interests of the NBA." Granik: "Is there some benefit to the NBA in providing some alternate vehicle to 18-year-olds? It's not something we really considered. It's something that maybe we want to talk about. I'm ambivalent about it now." The NBDL, set to begin next fall, "is talking about paying players around" $25,000-30,000 for about a 56-game schedule (USA TODAY, 11/30). ONE MORE YEAR: The CBA has signed an agreement with the NBA, extending its role as the Official Developmental League of the NBA for '00-01 (CBA). The CBA will be paid $2.5M for training current and future referees as part of its deal with the NBA and for "making players available to NBA teams on short notice" (CBS SportsLine, 11/29). CBA SALE? The QUAD CITY TIMES' Craig DeVrieze wrote that the NBA "previously had expressed an interest in merging" the CBA and NBDL, but "its interest cooled considerably over the summer" while CBA Owner Isiah Thomas sought a buyer. Ivan Thornton, the trustee in charge of selling the CBA on behalf of Thomas, said Tuesday that a group of former NBA assistant coaches and players, backed by Wall Street investors, who are interested in buying the league, continue to do their "due diligence." Thornton said that he "expects the sale will be finalized" soon. Thornton, on the prospective buyers: "They know what they are buying. I see nothing on the horizon to side rail this." Meanwhile, DeVrieze added that indications are a $1M payment owed to the former owners of the Stampede and Skyforce by Thomas will not change the timetable of the sale (Q.C. TIMES, 11/29). But Thornton told the Sioux Falls ARGUS LEADER the prospective buyers are "not all former players and coaches, and they're not all from the NBA. Some in the group have NBA experience -- whether it be through administration or playing. ... They're not hoopla-type guys. This is a business transaction, and they're not looking to pound their chests. They just want to stay involved in the game and make a profit" (Sioux Falls ARGUS LEADER, 11/29). THAT SHOULD BUY SOME NICE PRESENTS: In Orlando, Tim Povtak reports that all NBA players "soon will be getting the second installment of their group licensing money," as part of the CBA. Every player on every roster from last season will receive an estimated $17,000, which is half of their annual share. The first came "just before the season started" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 11/30).
