NBA Schedule Could Be Talking Point Of Upcoming CBA Negotiations
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Stern Says CBA Negotiations
Will Pick Up After NBA Finals |
The NBA’s schedule “could be a talking point” in the league’s CBA negotiations, which Commissioner David Stern “says will pick up in earnest after the NBA Finals in June,” according to a sports section cover story by Chris Colston of USA TODAY. The NBA “has the option to extend the current agreement through 2012 ... but probably will decline, in large part because of the global financial crisis.” Stern recently said the biggest issue “is going to be about the fair division of revenues between owners and players.” Colston notes while the players “could be forced to make significant concessions on salaries, in return they might demand alterations in the schedule," including reducing the eight preseason games and the number of games played on back-to-back nights. NBPA President and Lakers G Derek Fisher: “Each game deserves to be the maximum of what it can be. If you consistently have key players missing games due to injuries and things that can be avoided, I think that’s a fair point to discuss.” The NBA has played an 82-game regular-season schedule since the ’67-68 season, but the league has “continued to increase the length of the postseason.” But Stern said that a reduction of games would have “‘significant economic consequences’ on team and league revenue.” Stern: “Is it good for our season to run from October to the end of June? Our sponsors and licensees would say yes.” Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban said, “Not only is (the 82-game) schedule an economic necessity to pay for arenas, it’s a competitive necessity, where every game counts.” However, Rockets GM Daryl Morey said that with a shorter schedule, “more fans would tune in because each game would hold more gravitas.” Colston notes a reduction of games “would require a requisite cutback of salaries.” Celtics G Ray Allen: “I’d give some of my check back. And I venture to say the quality of the games would go up another notch.” Meanwhile, CBA talking points also “could include shorter contracts, a higher age limit on incoming players and elimination of the midlevel cap exception” (USA TODAY, 4/30).
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