BASEBALL: Representatives for MLB's owners and striking
players said yesterday that formal labor negotiations "likely
will not resume until early next week. But the sides probably
will speak today about the owners' proposal to put a 45-day
freeze on players filing for free agency and signing contracts"
(WASHINGTON POST, 10/13).
BASKETBALL: Players at the Hawks training camp are not
thinking about a strike. Hawks captain Kevin Willis: "There
won't be a strike in the NBA. I guarantee we'll be playing
ball." Hawks Player Rep Jon Koncak said the team has not
discussed the league's labor situation since training camp
started. Koncak said "conciliatory messages" from NBA
Commissioner David Stern and Hawks President Stan Kasten "have
helped bury the subject." Craig Ehlo, in his 12th year, "says if
any thought has been given to such an issue, it is growing
agreement among veteran players for the establishment of a rookie
salary cap": "It's ridiculous for guys who have never played in
the league to be making so much money [while] good veteran
players can't get contracts. Something needs to be done"
(ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/13).
