In Newark, Dave D'Alessandro writes the dialogue in the NBA labor dispute has been characterized by "posturing, blustering NBA owners" and players who "suddenly seem mute and powerless." The NBPA, "after a series of strategic shudders, has essentially kept silent and allowed the league to completely ignore the predominant business issue of the last half-decade: the gigantic revenue disparity between big-market teams and their small-market punching bags." D'Alessandro wonders, "How is it that the owners' plan to redistribute revenues ... hasn't been made public, or become part of the conversation?" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/5). Meanwhile, with NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter saying he "wouldn't bet" on there being a '11-12 season, ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said, "It’s a very big deal. I didn’t hear DeMaurice Smith say this." ESPN's Michael Wilbon: "I think this is a moment of candor. This is what people -- players, coaches and owners -- are talking about in the NBA, are we going to play at all? But you would expect a little more spirit of optimism” (“PTI,” ESPN, 8/4).
DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE: The AP's Brian Mahoney cited two NBA officials as saying that Commissioner David Stern "makes less than baseball's Bud Selig or the NFL's Roger Goodell, leaving his salary far below the more than $20 million that's been reported." Selig "makes more than $18 million annually," while Goodell "receives about $10 million in salary, bonus and incentives" (AP, 8/4).
WHAT A YEAR: ESPN.com's Terry Blount wrote "in the grand scheme of things," this year has been the "best season in years" for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. There have been "fourteen different winners in 20 races, including four first-time winners." Blount wrote, "Who would have thought when the 2011 season started that Trevor Bayne, Regan Smith, David Ragan and Paul Menard all would have a victory, but Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray and Greg Biffle would be winless?" Additionally, Dale Earnhardt Jr. "is a factor again," and the "new wild-card format is better than ... expected." Blount: "The good outweighs the bad by a big margin" (ESPN.com, 8/3).
