NBA, Players Heading to Federal Mediation

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

WASHINGTON (AP) - The NBA and its locked-out players are going to use the same federal mediator who tried to resolve the NFL's labor dispute months before it eventually ended.

George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, announced Wednesday that he will oversee negotiations between the NBA and the NBA Players Association. Those meetings will start next Tuesday in New York.

Cohen said he already has been in contact with representatives of both sides "for a number of months."

"I have participated in separate, informal, off-the-record discussions with the principals representing the NBA and the NBPA concerning the status of their collective bargaining negotiations," Cohen said in a statement issued by the Washington-based FMCS.

Read more: http://sports.excite.com/news/10122011/v7522.html

[rocktivity]

1. A big--and smart--concession on the owners' part

Just like with the NFL lockout, nobody is going to blame the players, especially in this economy. The longer the lockout, the harder it will be for the owners to plead poverty. And with NFL season up and running, pro basketball isn't going to be missed that much.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Blue_Tires]

5. The players will make the deal

1. They are not as united as the football players
2. They are typically MUCH worse with their finances than other sports -- Most players couldn't hold out for long
3. Since there is no multi-billion dollar gambling industry behind it, there will be no huge fan outcry over lost games

[Iggo]

2. "Mediation"? Meh.

Wake me when it's "Binding Arbitration".

[SoapBox]

3. ...I'm over it NBA.

I'm just a casual viewer/follower but had increased my NBA time, over the last few years (since
there seems to be absolutely NOTHING else to watch).

But this...and the Lakers owner, setting up an exclusive deal with Comcast (no more free Lakers games
on local TV channels. Period!) has made me say...

Buh-Bye King Buss! Enjoy all your new "clothes".

[alp227]

4. If the mediation succeeds, could NBA fans be a new voting base for Obama?

Killing bin Laden, toppling Gaddafi, not screwing up a natural disaster, and now saving the NBA?