After a half-dozen broadcast interviews starring commissioner David Stern, players' union director Billy Hunter took to the spotlight, speaking to reporters after 30 players met to discuss NBA lockout strategy in Los Angeles on Friday. Hunter came out as aggressive as you'd imagine, trying to fight back against Stern's push to make players look greedy. In the process, Hunter got a bit silly, suggesting that the league could lose teams like the Sacramento Kings to "forced contraction" if the lockout continues much longer.
From ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin and J.A. Adande:
"If everybody begins to dig into their respective positions, then I think the league will be decimated. It took us five years to recover from the 1998 lockout and there's probability that we may never recover [from this lockout]," Hunter told ESPN before Friday's sit-down with players. "I think there will be some teams that won't survive. Particularly if the season gets shut down, there will be teams that will not be around next year."
Of course, contraction of even one team would mean the loss of 15 union jobs and about $60 million in player salary. That's equivalent to about 1.5 percent of basketball-related income. It's a meaningless statement from Hunter.
The two sides are scheduled to meet with mediator George Cohen on Monday, with a full bargaining session on Tuesday. NBA owners will then meet on Wednesday and Thursday. No one expects a deal to come together next week. Stern has warned he'll kill all games through Christmas if there's no deal by the end of Tuesday.
4 comments
5
Nov 28
3
Nov 27
Comments
We have a Bingo!
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on Oct 15, 2011 11:55 AM EDT reply actions
So what is meaningless?
The loss of 15 union jobs and about $60 million per basketball salary is big in the eyes of Billy Hunter, and is just the tip of the iceberg. At least one city will have to fill 41 dates with something else which represents the loss of jobs for ticket personnel, Security, Concussion workers, and just about everyone you can think that is needed to keep an arena running smoothly. We are talking about the loss of 100s of jobs in just one city alone.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
Champagne SuperTolbert Saves the day!!!
by Jessy S on Oct 16, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
It's meaningless
because it will NEVER happen. He would not even think about signing a deal that shrinks the union and takes money away from the rest of the players. He would not allow that to happen even if the league wanted it to….so it’s meaningless.
Too bad there hasn't always been a DH...then we never would have to hear about this Ruth guy...
by Brad Spontak on Oct 16, 2011 3:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly.
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on Oct 16, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed