In a story first reported in yesterday's BOSTON GLOBE, NBPA
Exec Dir Simon Gourdine has been ousted from that position by a
"unanimous vote" of player reps. According to the N.Y. TIMES'
Harvey Araton, Gourdine "apparently fell victim to residual
resentments and hostilities from players who attempted to
decertify the union rather than accept the deal Gourdine
negotiated with NBA Commissioner David Stern." Last month, NBPA
President Buck Williams had announced a two-year contract
extension for Gourdine, as voted by the union's executive board.
That decision was challenged by the Knicks' Patrick Ewing, who
forced Monday's vote of player reps. No successor to Gourdine
has been named, although a search committee has targeted six
names. The NBPA hopes to elect its new Exec Dir during the All-
Star break. In addition to Gourdine's ouster, a source within
the union said that attorneys Jeffrey Kessler and James Quinn
have been rehired. The two, both key figures in the
decertification fight, were dismissed in '95 along with former
Exec Dir Charles Grantham (N.Y. TIMES, 1/25).
POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS: According to the GLOBE's Peter May:
former players Alex English and Paul Silas, agents Bill
Strickland, Len Elmore and Dennis Coleman, and Charles Bennett, a
former union accountant (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/25).
NOT UNANIMOUS? The AP reports the vote was 18 of the 20
player reps participating in the conference call (WASHINGTON
POST, 1/25). Peter Vecsey calls it a "majority" of player reps
voting for ouster (N.Y. POST, 1/25).
SIMON SAYS: Gourdine told the N.Y. POST: "If I'm told in a
formal letter they want me to leave, I will comply. I do have a
two-year contract, though. That would have to be resolved fully.
They can fire me, but they can't do it retroactively" (Peter
Vecsey, N.Y. POST, 1/25).