NBA Labor Talks Stall as League Rejects Offer
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NBA labor talks stalled yesterday after a meeting in New York, less than a month before a lockout would begin.
Players association director Billy Hunter said he outlined a new proposal, then offered to extend the terms of the current seven-year agreement that expires June 30. The league turned both offers down.
“It’s definitely fair to say the talks have stalled,” Hunter said. “They are seeking more concessions off the current deal, and we contend we made major concessions in the last collective bargaining agreement.”
Among the issues the sides have failed to reach agreement on are the maximum length of long-term contracts, the size of the annual raises available in those contracts, and a possible increase in the minimum age.
NBA Commissioner David Stern said the owners offered to guarantee that the players receive a 57% share of revenues, would raise the salary cap three percentage points – from 48% to 51% of revenues – and minimize the level at which the luxury tax clicks in, making more money available for salaries.
