NBA Commissioner David Stern said that a majority of league teams "will make money this year and all 30 franchises should be profitable within two years," according to Jonathan Salant of BLOOMBERG NEWS. Stern over the weekend appeared on Bloomberg TV's "Political Capital With Al Hunt," and said, "This year, we’ll probably have about 10 teams losing money. And next year, I hope the number will be down to under five. And then after that, I would expect that all of our teams will have the opportunity to make money." He added, "There is a very high tax that will be imposed after next season. We think that will press down the salary level among the top teams. In addition, the highest grossing teams will be redirecting well over $200 million to the smaller teams. So we think, as a competitive matter, as an economic matter, we have leveled the playing field." Stern also said that he "doesn’t plan to pursue a political career once he steps down as NBA commissioner." Stern: "My next career is not going to involve politics. It’s only going to involve kibitzing of politicians, and talking to my friends in the Washington media about how the state of the world should be changed" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 5/4).
DOOLING NOT INTERESTED IN FISHER'S ROLE: Celtics G and NBPA Exec Committee VP Keyon Dooling said that he has "no interest" in succeeding Thunder G Derek Fisher as NBPA President. He added that the union "would have to seek a veteran leader to stabilize the organization, foster a better relationship with [NBPA Exec Dir Billy] Hunter, and erase the perception that Hunter is bleeding the organization." In Boston, Gary Washburn noted Clippers G Chris Paul could be a "top candidate" to replace Fisher. Paul is "established enough on the court to hold the respect of his playing brethren and mature enough to handle the responsibility for several years until the next collective bargaining agreement expires" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/6).
