NBA Commissioner David Stern yesterday appeared on N.Y.-based WFAN-AM and said of the NBA lockout, “If we don't make (a deal) on Tuesday, my gut is – this is not in my official capacity of canceling games – that we won’t be playing on Christmas Day.” Stern: “Deal Tuesday or we potentially spiral into a situation where the worsening offers on both sides make it even harder for the parties to make the deal.”
Stern said the NBA “welcomed in” the intervention of federal mediator George Cohen, and the meeting with him next week “is a really big deal.” Stern: “If we don't make a deal by the time my owners … come in Wednesday and Thursday after we met with the mediator on Monday and then met with each other on Tuesday, then I despair, because we will have lost two weeks for sure on our way to losing more games. Offers will get worse.” Following the interview, radio host Mike Francesa said, “I thought he was going to be more militant than he is. I think it’s pretty obvious he wants to make a deal” (“Francesa,” WFAN-AM, 10/13).
Meanwhile, NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter will be in L.A. today for a "membership meeting that will include the union's executive committee" (NEWSDAY, 10/14).
