NBA, City Discuss Hosting All-Star Weekend

Las Vegas “is in serious talks to host” the NBA’s All-Star weekend in ’07, which would mark “the first time the event would be held in a city without its own NBA franchise,” according to Jones & Kalil of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. NBA Commissioner David Stern “became receptive to the proposal” after Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman over the last ten days secured “assurances from Las Vegas’ gaming companies that they would not accept wagers on the game.” After being contacted earlier this month by Kings co-Owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, Goodman met yesterday with NBA Senior VP/Events & Attractions Ski Austin, Maloof Hotels President George Maloof -– who also owns part of the Kings — and Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority President Rossi Ralenkotter to discuss the proposal. Goodman: “This is huge for Las Vegas, and it looks like the stars are aligning.” Stern said, “When a city presents itself, says it’s conveniently located and is a destination our fans would love to go to, we decided that we would consider it.” More Stern: “This is our way of saying ... we have nothing against Las Vegas. ... We only have one issue [gambling], and if that issue is taken care of with respect for the All-Star game, we could consider it for the All-Star game.” Jones & Kalil add the proposal will be presented to team owners next Thursday (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/15).

COME TOGETHER: In N.Y., Peter Vecsey reports a new CBA between the NBA and NBPA “could very well be in place by” Saturday and announced prior to the start of the playoffs April 23. A source said, “There have been no leaks. That’s always an infallible indicator that the league and the union understand they have a good thing goin’ on and don’t want to blow it. Neither side has tried to put pressure on the other apropos to one issue or another. Nobody has looked to establish leverage in the media. Both sides have been positive, professional and private.” Sources from both the NBA and NBPA said following a meeting Tuesday, “We feel we’re a brush stroke or two away” (N.Y. POST, 4/15).