But, revenues were higher than ever. This is one business in which the recession isn't an excuse. I don't see why a rollback would matter if they keep the BRI rule. If they slice all salaries and then fall short of paying the players the designated percentage, they'll give that money right back again. Conversely, if they don't roll back salaries and pay more than the designated BRI %, they'll keep the money from the escrow account.
If it were a real business star players would get stock options and bonuses, they don't...... I think the union should decertify and head to court. DD
Great point about revenue sharing, which you've mentioned before, Leeb. I'll be shocked if the BRI doesn't end up at 50-50. It looks like that's now pushed into being part of the "compromise." The tiered "cap" is an improvement for the small(er) market teams. The amnesty would help them, a lot. The shortened contract lengths are something I've been expecting, and it would help smaller market teams correct "mistakes" sooner, rather than later (as would the amnesty). The larger market teams also benefit from these changes, except for the large increase in LT expenses, but as long as they aren't required to share their outside revenue, they won't care too much, and the smaller market teams will still be at a big disadvantage. A deal like this would at least lessen the advantage to a degree. One has to wonder how the players could accept these changes, however, because they are getting hammered. Players who are "stars" are getting smaller salaries, shorter contracts, and fewer options. While high draft picks and big time players who have multimillion dollar deals in place, and will still be getting those kinds of deals, won't take as much of a hit, it looks to me like the vast majority of the guys who suit up would be taking a BIG hit. No bi-annual exception, shorter and smaller MLE's. Fewer options. A salary roll-back would hit them pretty hard. The stars will essentially still get their money, leaving even less for the rest of the guys. I have a hard time imagining that the union will accept a salary roll-back. Losing 5%, for example, doesn't hurt a Bryant or Anthony much, but how about the cats who make up most of the players in the league? Just some thoughts.
Good discussion Leeb and Deck. I think the players at the bottom really have no choice, the NBA is a monopoly, maybe what could happen is that it spawns another league? I agree they need revenue sharing, they look at the NFL and how successful it has been compared to baseball and probably want a similar style of agreement. DD
Chris_Broussard Chris Broussard by sam_amick Dwyane Wade yelled at David Stern while making pointed remarks to the commissioner at today's NBA meeting, sources said. Chris_Broussard Chris Broussard Stern pointed at DWade, which DWade took as sign of disrespect. That triggered his outburst on the commish, sources said. sam_amick Sam Amick Says one executive regarding D-Wade reportedly yelling at Stern: "They'll call traveling on him now for sure." Chris_Broussard Chris Broussard Star players - LeBron, CP3, PPierce, Baron Davis, Melo, - were ready to leave meeting but Stern asked for private talk w/Billy Hunter.... 1 minute ago
More updates via twitter daldridgetnt David Aldridge Theo Ratliff, union exec committee member, just left. Said meeting is still going on and looks like there will be a Saturday session... daldridgetnt David Aldridge Sorry I couldn't tweet for a while-talking 2 folks. Powerful tableau w/LeBron, DWade, Pierce, Melo behind Fisher and Hunter. daldridgetnt David Aldridge Stern: it is not 82 games or nothing. That notion is "ludicrous." daldridgetnt David Aldridge Stern also disclosed for first time that revsharing plan will quadruple from current $60M/year in yr 3 of new plan after tripling in yrs 1-2 daldridgetnt David Aldridge And rev sharing will quadruple every yr forward from yr 3, meaning at least $240M/yr thru deal. Yr 1: $180M, moving toward 240 in Yr 2
KBergCBS Ken Berger Among the players confirmed at labor meeting here in Manhattan: LeBron, Wade, Durant, Melo, David West, Iguodala, and Udonis Haslem (!). KBergCBS Ken Berger Micky Arison of Heat is only owner present in addition to typical labor relations committee. KBergCBS Ken Berger Fisher's statement that 15 owners would be here was never accurate. Not sure where that came from. KBergCBS Ken Berger Committee member Theo Ratliff leaves hotel. "Still going," he said. "Be here tomorrow." KBergCBS Ken Berger Person outside talks who has received updates on progress says both sides seem to be cooperating. What's that mean? Hard to say. KBergCBS Ken Berger Udonis Haslem: "I was very encouraged. ... You can see that everybody really wants to make a dea KBergCBS Ken Berger Fisher: "We did not come out of here with a deal today, but we will be back here at 10 a.m." BergCBS Ken Berger LeBeon, Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Paul Pierce, Baron Davis, Elton Brand among those standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Fisher during presser. KBergCBS Ken Berger Stern says it was good that many players and owners were here to get each side's perspective. "There's no bad news," he said. KBergCBS Ken Berger Stern: "Both sides expressed a willingness to make a deal." And both sides agreed that once regular season games lost, both sides harden. KBergCBS Ken Berger Silver said "of course" talks would be extended past this weekend if there's no deal. KBergCBS Ken Berger Stern: "There were no formal proposals." But each side knows and understands the other side's position. KBergCBS Ken Berger Asked if he can see a framework of a deal, Stern said, "We leave that to the bloggers." KBergCBS Ken Berger Stern says union knows "precisely" what revenue sharing system would look like. "They know as much as we know." KBergCBS Ken Berger Stern on idea of 82 games or no games: "Ludicrous."
Chris_Broussard Chris Broussard Star players - LeBron, CP3, PPierce, Baron Davis, Melo, - were ready to leave meeting but Stern asked for private talk w/Billy Hunter... Chris_Broussard Chris Broussard Hunter then calmed stars down and got them to return to meeting. Players' resolve stunned owners, sources said. daldridgetnt David Aldridge This is why I thought stars needed to be more inv in talks. When DWade says "don't talk to me like I'm a child," it gets owners' attention. WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski One participant in labor meeting has told (texted) associates on the outside that there's "been a spirit of cooperation" in the room today. WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Meeting with league and union is passing the four-hour mark now. WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski From official who's talked w/ people in room: More than one previously hardline owner, including Dan Gilbert, has come wanting to make deal. WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Nevertheless, there's still no concrete information on whether the owners and players have made real progress. Yet, the vibe isn't bad. WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Players Association news conference starting in New York. James, Wade, Pierce and several stars standing with Fisher and Hunter. @WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Fisher: "We did not come out with a deal today...we will be back at 10 am tomorrow." WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Fisher says meeting was contentious at times, and no new proposals were exchanged. WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Fisher: "We can't continue to go down any path without making sure it's a fair way to go. WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Stern: "Once you start to lose games...positions on both sides start to harden."
The refs are shady. That's the image a lot of people have of NBA Refs and apparently not only just fans but a NBA executive. Whether it's true or not *shrugs* I don't know...but the perception is there that the refs are are not calling the games fairly. But that's another topic i'm sure that will pop up again as it does every year.
stern should actually use this as a talking point in the negotiations if he wants that cba signed quickly.
I've been watching the nba since about 78 and I think the nba is reffed fairly. Even when it as known you were going to get cheated by boston in the 80s, I think there ae always plays left on the floor that the losing team can go back and look at.
Stern doesn't take these meetings seriously and thinks he's 100% in the right to ask these players to conform to the owner's standards. Wade and LeBron and everyone in that union needs to show some animosity towards Stern the scumbag and the spoiled big market owners. It would also help if some players weren't going broke over the course of this lockout...
Things would go much better for the NBA if they could just remove Stern from the league. Why isn't there some sort of impeachment process that the fans can participate in to remove that guy from office?
Honestly, I disagree with the concept of franchise tags. One a player fulfills his existing contract with a team, he should be free to go wherever he wants. While I don't like superstars grouping up (lowers overall competition across the field), it is still their fundamental right to do so as opposed to being held slave to a team they no longer wish to play for. Take LBJ for example; I don't resent him for leaving the Cavs, just how he did it. It is not like he forced an early out like some players have. He finished his contract and left.
