More from RealGM
 General Basketball WiretapLinksNews Archive
NBA News
Owners And Players To Return To The Negotiating Table
"That's a positive sign we're getting back together," Hunter said. "Both sides understand the urgency and importance. We might have gotten distracted. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail." No date has been set for the resumption of talks. Hunter said the union has not changed its position on its proposal since talks ended and still is opposed to a reduction in the length of player contracts and a minimum age limit. "When I come to the table, my attitude will be like it was," Hunter said. "The deal has to be fair to the players, keeping in mind all we gave up seven years ago. We gave major concessions." Hunter also said the union is waiting for a response from the league to a proposal it made about two weeks ago. "Obviously they didn't feel compelled to respond," he said. "(What) we're going to do is try to reach an accord by June 30. We have to see how far apart we are and see if we can bridge the gap." Commissioner David Stern outlined the framework of the league's new proposal Tuesday: • Players will be guaranteed to receive 57% of the revenue, the same amount they get under the current agreement. • The salary cap will increase from 48% to 51% of total revenue. • More money will be made available for player salaries by lowering the dollar amount that would trigger the luxury tax. Stern said the average player salary would increase from $4.5 million to $5.5 million over the course of a possible six-year CBA. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Politicians Expect Drug Testing Bill to Pass Easily
"The Clean Sports Act of 2005, put forward by Arizona Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) and Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), would mandate Olympic-style testing and penalties on Major League Baseball, the NBA, NHL and NFL. The Drug Free Sports Act of 2005, a rival measure targeting those four leagues plus Major League Soccer and Arena Football, was introduced last month by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), whose committee is expected to take it up today." "Had the professional leagues taken action, we would not be here today," said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), fresh from his successful efforts to avert a filibuster crisis in the Senate over judicial nominations. "Baseball will not be allowed to filibuster this." The bill is expected to pass through both house of congress and be signed by the President. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback The Return Of Rick MajerusFormer Utah, Ball State and Marquette coach Rick Majerus said on Wednesday he plans to leave his job as an ESPN college basketball analyst and get back into coaching again in the year 2006. "It's a labor of love," Majerus said. It is not yet known where he plans on coaching but judging by the enthusiasm of his words he definitely will be back. "I miss the competition," he said. "I miss the teaching." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback May 2005 Archive
|
NBA Players Association executive director Billy Hunter said Wednesday that he is now optimistic that the union and owners can reach a collective bargaining agreement now that they're returning to the negotiating table.