The NBA and its referees "failed to reach settlement" after
meeting yesterday for three hours in New York. But, according to
the N.Y. DAILY NEWS, the refs' chief negotiator reported "very,
very good progress." The two sides reportedly remain between $2
to $3M apart, and a league source said the NBA simply put its
current five-year deal back on the table. NBRA General Counsel
Fred Slaughter: "The issue is how much cooperation we get from
across the table. In my mind, we've still got some issues left -
- four or five -- but those can be taken care of. ... We'd like
to get our guys back on the floor by Monday" (Mitch Lawrence,
N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/30). The N.Y. TIMES reports today's session
"could be crucial," with the league preparing to add a third
replacement ref to the two-man crews. NBA Senior VP Jeffrey
Mishkin: "We have given our final offer. If we cannot reach an
agreement, we are prepared to finish the season with our current
officials" (Clifton Brown, N.Y. TIMES, 11/30). CNN's Fred
Hickman noted Commissioner David Stern was not present yesterday.
Hickman: "At last report, the two sides are still zip codes
apart on money." Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik: "Right now, I
don't see a settlement coming anytime soon" ("Sports Tonight,"
11/29). ESPN's Karl Ravech: "Depending on who you ask, some,
little or no progress was made" ("SportsCenter," 11/29).
