June 15, 2005
By Chris Bernucca
SportsTicker Pro Basketball Editor
TROY, Michigan (Ticker) - NBA Players Association executive director Billy Hunter and Commissioner David Stern have had problems reaching an accord on a new collective bargaining agreement.
However, they do agree on one thing: A lockout would have significant repercussions.
With 15 days before the current agreement expires, Hunter met with about 40 members of the media in a hotel restaurant, where he refused to disclose specific issues that separate the sides but offered to re-open bargaining sessions to avoid another work stoppage.
"I think it would be a protracted lockout," Hunter said. "I think it would be a death knell for the NBA."
Hunter was responding to Stern's "State of the Game" address prior to Game Two of the NBA Finals in San Antonio at which he said, "If July 1 comes and there is a lockout, the union will have made a mistake of epic proportions."
In the event of a lockout, Stern threatened to take the NBA's last offer - which includes a guarantee of at least 57 percent of the annual $3 billion in basketball-related income (BRI) for the players - off the table.
That deal also calls for an age limit of 19, a comprehensive year-round drug testing plan and the shortening of the maximum length of contracts to six years.
Hunter, who had been attending meetings in Chicago and New York the last two days, believes those would represent further concessions on the part of the union, which agreed to a cap on individual salaries and a rookie salary scale in the deal struck to end the last lockout in 1999.
"From my perspective, it doesn't make much sense," Hunter said. "I'm only left with the conclusion that it's a grab on the part of the (NBA) owners."
The current CBA has an age limit of 18, a drug-testing program whose effectiveness was questioned by Congress last month and contracts with a maximum length of seven years.
Last year, Hunter and Stern shared the dais at All-Star Weekend to show a shared commitment to avoiding a work stoppage. They agreed to not discuss negotiation points in the media, an agreement that ended Sunday when Stern detailed some of the issues where the sides differ.
Although pressed for details, Hunter would not capitulate and refused to discuss bargaining points. He also indicated was not upset with the commissioner's discussion of the issues.
"I think it probably helped the process," he said.
Last month, the NBA broke off negotiations, claiming that the union reneged on an agreement to the framework of a deal including many of the above points. No meetings are scheduled, although that may change.
"I'm going to call David one more time between now and June 30," Hunter said. "He's indicated that he's willing to talk."
The NBA's last lockout began seven years ago and was a disastrous one. It lasted over six months, forced the cancellation of regular-season games for the first time in league history and created drastic drop-offs in TV ratings, fan interest and revenue.
Hunter would like to reach a new long-term accord with the NBA but also said he is willing to extend the current deal for one year to buy some time at the table while avoiding more labor strife.
"We don't want a lockout," he said. "I've been down that road before."
During the last lockout, there was a public perception that NBA players - who at an average annual salary of $4.4 million are the highest-paid athletes in the world - were greedy and immature.
Hunter countered that notion by pointing out that franchises such as the Cleveland Cavaliers have sold for upwards of nearly $400 million. He also cautioned that team owners would also bear the brunt of another lockout.
"I think that door swings both ways," Hunter said. "I think it's a tragic mistake for the owners as well."
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