NBA and players end labor talks, no new dates scheduled
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Despite having a federal mediator on hand, the NBA and the players union broke off labor talks after five hours of negotiations Thursday in New York, and no new meetings are scheduled.
‘Ultimately we were unable to bridge the gap that separate the two parties,’ said Adam Silver, the NBA’s deputy commissioner. ‘We understand the ramifications. ... We’re saddened on behalf of the game.’
San Antonio Spurs owner Peter Holt said, ‘Hopefully, we can get back to the [bargaining] table, but certainly a tough day, a very tough day.’
The negotiations apparently broke off because of a disagreement over how to split basketball-related income. Silver said the league offered to split BRI 50-50 with the union, but the union said it wanted at least 52.5%.
However, players union head Billy Hunter said they offered to accept a sliding scale of 50% to 53% of basketball revenue, but the owners held out for a strict 50-50 split.
‘They thought 50% met their need,’ Hunter said of the owners. ‘I think it’s all about putting money in their pocket.’
In the previous labor deal, players received 57% of BRI, worth about $2.17 billion in total salaries last season. The NBA locked out the players July 1.
Owners and players met with federal mediator George Cohen for 30 hours over three consecutive days this week but could not reach an agreement.
NBA Commissioner David Stern has already canceled the first two weeks of the regular season. ‘I just assume as time goes on they’ll cancel more games,’ Hunter said.
Stern did not attend Thursday’s session because he was sick with the flu.
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-- Barry Stavro
