Lockout 'Not Inevitable'

[Sħãlïq™]

NBA deputy commish: Work stoppage 'not inevitable'

 

HOUSTON (AP) -- The NBA's deputy commissioner says that a lockout is "not inevitable," even though no formal meetings are scheduled between the owners and players' union. Adam Silver, attending Friday night's game between New Orleans and Houston, said the two sides have plenty of time to work out a deal before the current collective bargaining agreement expires June 30.

 

"It's not inevitable," Silver said. "While we have no other formal meetings scheduled now, there is an ongoing dialogue with the union and we've been completely forthcoming with our financials. And I'd like to believe they understand the position in which we find ourselves and that no rock will go unturned in trying to get a new deal done."

 

The players rejected the league's last formal proposal over All-Star weekend last February, then presented a counterproposal last summer. The union offered to negotiate a reduction in the players' guarantee of 57 percent of basketball revenues, but also to loosen salary-cap restrictions on trades and add a second midlevel exception.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/01/14/nba-labor.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2

[htown11]

"We will continue to talk and we will work around the clock if necessary to avoid losing games," Silver said. "That is one thing there is absolute agreement on, between the ownership and the union, that makes absolutely no sense given the economic situation this country finds itself in and given the economics of this league - to lose games."

 

I hope that becomes the pressure point for both sides involved.