NBA Labor: David Stern Says NBA Hoping To Cut Player Salaries By One Third

As we prepare for one of the most highly-anticipated NBA seasons in recent memory, we have to keep in mind that there's a dark cloud on the horizon. Yes, the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement expires after this year, and already, David Stern has begun digging in the sand.

Today, Stern told the Associated Press that the league is seeking a reduction in player salaries by one third, a pretty large downsizing.

NBA commissioner David Stern says there was no quantifiable progress in collective bargaining talks over the summer, and the league has revealed it is seeking a reduction in player salary costs by about one-third.

Stern says the league wants player costs to drop by about $750-800 million.

The NBA is projected to lose around $350-400 million, according to estimates Stern has reportedly shared with the NBA Players Association. Tom Ziller of Fanhouse was the first to notice the odd fudging of numbers here.

It's worth noting that if Stern is being honest in reporting that the league's 30 teams will lose a combined $350 million, then the proposed salary cut would turn that $350 million deficit for the owners into a $350 million profit. There is no way on Earth, Mars or Jupiter players will accede to such a request.    

I realize the owners are drawing lines in the sand here, but that's pretty ridiculous.