NBA players "are closely monitoring" the Dennis Rodman
case in which "two issues have been raised that possibly
will be debated until the end of the season," according to
Terry Armour of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. At issue: "Should NBA
players have some sort of appeal process when it comes to
league imposed suspension? Does the league have the right
to demand a player seek counseling?" NBPA Exec Dir Billy
Hunter feels NBA players should have the same kind of appeal
system whereby they can continue to play while challenging a
suspension, much like MLB. NBA players will meet during the
All-Star weekend in Cleveland (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/3).
SIMON NOW SAYS PAY ME: Former NBPA Exec Dir Simon
Gourdine, who was fired after the league's latest CBA, was
awarded $883,738 plus interest on Friday by a panel of three
arbitrators. Initially after signing the CBA, Gourdine was
given a two-year contract extension calling for salaries of
$500,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year. But
two weeks after the extension was announced, the players
board "reversed course and fired him." Gourdine contended
he was paid only $208,000 of the $1.1M under his team and
went to arbitration. Gourdine was awarded the $883,000 plus
interest at 9%. He was denied legal fees and costs, which
Gourdine put at $120,000 (AP/SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/1). Union
attorney Jeffrey Kessler stated the union fired Gourdine
"for cause" based on an "evaluation of his performance."
Arbitrators found the union had violated the contract by not
giving Gourdine "written warning of the cause and had not
given him an opportunity 'to take specific corrective
action.'" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/1).
