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Leagues and Governing Bodies

JUST SAY NO! NBPA MEMBERS REJECT DECERTIFICATION

     By a vote of 226 to 134, NBA players have rejected
decertification of their union and voted to retain the NBPA as
their collective bargaining agent.  A total of 369 players out of
a possible 420 cast ballots on August 30 and September 7.  The
NBPA has scheduled a meeting today in Chicago for its 27 player
reps to vote on ratification of the proposed CBA.  NBA owners
will vote Thursday or Friday by telephone or Telex, or Monday in
New York (THE DAILY).
     LEAGUE REAX:  NBA Commissioner David Stern:  "We look
forward to being the sport that has not lost any games to labor
strife.  And a tip of the hat goes to our players for that" (Sam
Smith, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/13).  More Stern: "We think the
overwhelming majority of players now want to put this episode
behind them.  Even if there are other legal challenges, we plan
to have the owners ratify this deal and move forward"  (David
Moore, DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/13).  NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ
Granik:  "We think this is a pretty overwhelming statement from
the players.  They want the season to start on time" (BOSTON
GLOBE, 9/13).
     UNION REAX:  NBPA President Buck Williams:  "A majority of
voices have been heard loudly and clearly.  We needed an
agreement.  This thing has been going on for 16-17 months, and at
some point, you have to say enough is enough."  The  WASHINGTON
POST's Richard Justice characterizes the outcome as "a personal
victory" for NBPA Exec Dir Simon Gourdine.  Gourdine:  "I'm
feeling very good.  It has been a very difficult time. ... I'll
take 63 percent anytime" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/13).  Magic Player
Rep Donald Royal:  "I'm glad to finally get this behind us so we
can get back to business.  It's been a long, trying summer.  I'm
happy now because I always thought this was the way to go" (Tim
Povtak, ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/13).
     TO CHALLENGE OR NOT TO CHALLENGE:  According to Ailene
Voisin of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, attorney Jeffrey Kessler "was
uncertain whether [the dissident] group would continue its
challenge" to the union and proposed CBA.  Kessler:  "Of course
I'm disappointed by the vote.  I still believe this is a terrible
vote for the players, and they will regret it for a long time"
(ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/13).  Kessler, on possible grounds for
overturning the election:  "A lot of players got intimidated by
the threat of the owners that the season was going to end.  The
strategy the NBA carried out was effective" (Sam Smith, CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 9/13).  Agent Arn Tellem:  "I think the league did a
good job of getting the voters out and getting their message
across that a vote for decertification would put the season in
jeopardy.  We'll have to talk to the players to see what they
want to do next" (Peter May, BOSTON GLOBE, 9/13).
     STILL MORE STERN:  On the possibility of reopening the
proposed CBA:  "A deal is a deal. ... At some point, you have to
accept it" (Peter May, BOSTON GLOBE, 9/13).  On Kessler:  "The
Grinch stole Christmas.  We're not going to let Kessler steal our
season.  It's time for Mr. Kessler to fold up his medicine wagon
and move on.  We've always tried to make sure everyone in our
league has done well, including agents.  But their descriptions
of the deal and attempts to influence people were shameless.
It's clear from the vote, they don't represent their clients.
They're only representing themselves."  On Michael Jordan:  "I
spoke to Michael in the course of this.  He had a position to
take.  I had a position to take.  This was about a deal.  It
never was personal."  On damage to the league:  "There has been
damage from a public-relations perspective, probably from a
licensing perspective, a slowdown in TV sales and even some
promotions.  You can't have a summer like ours and not have an
impact" (Sam Smith, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/13).
     ANALYSIS:  ESPN's Jackie McMullan said there is "very little
doubt this deal will be ratified," but added that there are "a
couple of problems out there still" -- the Mitch Richmond unfair
labor practices suit and a possible legal challenge to the rookie
cap.  McMullan predicted little success for either, adding, "I
expect the season to start on time."  McMullan also noted on the
agents' role:  "What the players should realize is that without
the agents, that first deal which included a luxury tax -- a bad
deal for the players -- might have gone through.  Thanks to the
agents it didn't" ("SportsCenter," 9/12).

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