Although "doomsayers are predicting another nasty showdown, another lockout" in the NBA in advance of CBA negotiations, people should "believe the numbers," not the rhetoric, according to Howard Beck of BLEACHER REPORT. Beck: "Times are good. Very good. Spectacularly good." The league is "enjoying an unprecedented wealth of talent and star power," while owners are "making more money than ever, thanks in part to the concessions they won from players" in the '11 lockout. Players are "making more money than ever, too, despite those concessions." And while more money "might create more reasons to fight, the opposite could also be true: It might convince everyone not to mess with a good thing." There are an "increasing number of voices on both sides who believe the latter axiom just might win the day." Either side can terminate the deal in '17, with notice "to be given by Dec. 15, 2016." The '11 stoppage "cost the league" $400M; the next shutdown, if it comes, "would be much more damaging." Basketball-related income in '17-18 "could exceed" $7B, with the players earning 51%, or $3.57B. Before NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts had been on the job for two months, she "blasted the salary cap as 'un-American' and called the age limit offensive." Observers around the league "were startled by the fiery rhetoric." Some agents "believe Roberts is still determined to opt out of the labor deal." But sources believe that Roberts is "simply sending a message to NBA officials -- 'I'm no pushover' -- and that she recognizes this deal is benefiting her constituents" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 7/21).
PRELIMINARY TALKS: CBSSPORTS.com's Ken Berger cited a source as saying that the NBPA Exec Committee has "voted to set aside a portion of this past season's salary shortfall while a plan to fund health costs for retired players is studied." NBPA leaders on Monday "agreed that they liked the concept of funding retired players' medical costs, but no vote was taken on whether to go forward with the plan." The issue "will be discussed further at the union's All-Star meeting in Toronto." A source said that since the players' negotiated salaries last season came in below their 50-51% negotiated guarantee, the union "will receive the entire escrow fund" of approximately $200M "plus the amount of the shortfall" -- estimated to be $57M. Sources said that the committee "did not vote on how to divide the shortfall money -- evenly among all the players or prorated based on their salaries." It is expected that the players "also will receive shortfall checks after the next two seasons" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/21).
