"Revealing progress for the first time" since the NBA
lockout began three weeks ago, Commissioner David Stern and
NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter "met yesterday morning and
decided to resume bargaining," according to Selena Roberts
of the N.Y. TIMES. Stern and Hunter "talked for 90 minutes
over breakfast to discuss a potential date for the first
negotiations since talks broke off" on June 22. Stern and
Hunter are "expected to call each other on Friday" and set
up talks for early August. While the NBA had no comment on
a meeting, Hunter issued a statement, calling the meeting
"cordial." Roberts: "So far, neither side has budged on the
key issues preventing labor peace" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/22). In
DC, Mark Asher reports that schedules "might not permit"
talks until early August as NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ
Granik is not scheduled to return from Europe with the U.S.
men's team until August 3 (WASHINGTON POST, 7/22). Stern
will be on vacation next week (USA TODAY, 7/22). The two met
at NYC's University Club (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 7/22).
SOLIDARITY: The Clippers' Michael Olowokandi, the NBA's
No. 1 draft selection, said he is "not impatient because the
lockout is keeping him from newly earned riches."
Olowokandi: "The NBA lockout really doesn't matter. I've
been broke for three years in college, so I definitely can
wait a few more months" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 7/21).
