NBA Lockout Watch, Day 18: Billy Hunter Claims "Big Gulf" Still Exists Between Sides

NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter Friday reiterated there is a "big gulf between" the union and the owners in the ongoing NBA lockout, and that there are not "any meetings scheduled as of yet" between the two sides. Hunter, speaking on ESPN's "Jim Rome Is Burning," said several NBPA staffers were "at the NBA’s office trying to finalize the audit of the revenues generated this past season so we can determine how much of the escrow money will be refunded to our players.” He noted one of the key issues is exactly how many NBA teams are losing money and whether the players are the leading cause for being non-profitable. Hunter said the NBPA does not “believe the players have played any role in the team losing money." Hunter: "If you look at the numbers, you’ll see that over the last three years players’ salaries have declined approximately 6% per year." He said, "Our belief is that there are no more than maybe six to eight teams -- not 10 -- that might be losing money. The shortfall can be made up through revenue-sharing. What we’ve called for is an aggressive revenue sharing, pretty much like they’ve implemented in the National Football League where they share all revenue.” The owners “haven’t gone for it yet, but again, we’re several months put from the commencement of the season." Hunter: "We’re hoping that cooler heads will prevail.” He also said, “My contention is that they’ve never intended to reach a deal, that they’ve negotiated in bad faith and that it’s been their intent throughout the negotiations to lockout.” Hunter noted there is a "contingent of owners in the room that are probably a lot more hawkish then the historical owners that we’ve generally dealt with, and that they’re holding the line." Following the interview, ESPN's Jalen Rose said he "wouldn’t be surprised if preseason games are lost," though he would be "extremely surprised if regular season games are lost." Rose: "It will be so irresponsible for both sides not to capitalize on the momentum of this NBA season. ... That will be a huge setback for the NBA" ("Jim Rome Is Burning," ESPN, 7/15).

GAG RELFEX: In Portland, Mike Tokito noted the NBA has ordered teams to "keep their employees from talking about the lockout and from communicating with players," and the result "has been an awkward situation that has affected a wide range" of offseason activities. The policy "extends to former players who are employed as 'alumni ambassadors' by" NBA teams. Trail Blazers ambassador Brian Grant is "in the awkward position of not being able to tap current NBA players for his fund-raiser for Parkinson's disease treatment and research." Grant, who suffers from Parkinson's, will hold his second "Shake It Till We Make It" event July 31 and Aug. 1, and Brian Grant Foundation Exec Dir Lauren Forman said that Grant "has decided not to invite current players to participate." Forman: "We're playing it safe. We wouldn't want to get anyone in trouble" (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/16). NBA VP/Basketball Communications Tim Frank said that neither Grant nor the Blazers "have asked for an exemption to the no-contact rule." But the AP's Anne Peterson noted "others have asked and received exclusions." Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban "was allowed to appear with his team" at last week's ESPY Awards, while Heat employees "were permitted to attend Chris Bosh's wedding" this past weekend. Also, Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan and Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro "checked with the league office" before playing alongside NBA players in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship "to make sure they weren't breaking any rules" (AP, 7/16).