"The dissident NBA players who ignited the battle that led
to the league's summer of discontent finally raised a white flag
yesterday," according to Thomas Hill in this morning's N.Y. POST.
The deadline for appealing the results of the NLRB's recent
decertification election passed "and no objections were filed."
Dissident attorney Jeffrey Kessler: "The players considered it
carefully. What they concluded is that they can't continue to be
divided. What they need to do is re-form the Players Association
so it represents the will of the majority" (N.Y. POST, 9/20).
WHAT IT MEANS: NLRB Regional Dir Daniel Silverman will
certify the results of the NBPA election today (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 9/20). In Chicago, Lacy Banks writes, "What all this
means is that players will now move to change union leadership,
thus placing in jeopardy the jobs of NBPA president Buck
Williams, executive director Simon Gourdine and the board of
directors" (CHICAGO SUN TIMES, 9/20).
NEW UNION? NOT JUST YET: Banks also quotes David Odom,
agent to Kings guard Mitch Richmond, as saying that recent
reports about Richmond starting a new union "are not true."
Odom: "We have collected no signatures. We are simply examining
affidavits in that direction and considering drawing up a
petition to start a new union" (CHICAGO SUN TIMES, 9/20).
Silverman said Richmond's unfair labor charge against the league
alone could not result in a new election (Mark Asher, WASHINGTON
POST, 9/20).
HIS AIRNESS SPEAKS OUT: In "his first far-ranging interview
since last May," Michael Jordan speaks with Rick Telander in
today's CHICAGO SUN TIMES. Jordan, on fallout from the labor
dispute: "I'm not worried. I made the players aware of this
whole business thing, raised their consciousness. And that's
good. I'm a very happy person." On NBA Commissioner David
Stern: "He did a job on the players' union by saying there
wouldn't be a season, but we appreciate each other as
businessmen. I'll never criticize Shaq or anyone for making a
decision that benefits them. And the fans, why should they be
upset with me? The games will be held on time" (CHICAGO SUN
TIMES, 9/20).
SHOOTING STRAIGHT: Jazz forward Karl Malone said he will
regard his five teammates who voted for decertification as
"scabs." Malone said they "haven't paid the price to have the
right to vote like that" ("Up Close," ESPN, 9/19).
