N.B.A. and Union Are Discussing New Labor Deal

[madinmaryland]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/sports/basketball/15nba.html

PHOENIX — The N.B.A. and its players union, acknowledging mutual concerns over the sagging national economy, have held preliminary talks about a new labor deal, two years before the current contract is set to expire.

Billy Hunter, the executive director of the players union, and Commissioner David Stern confirmed the talks Saturday, during a joint news conference at All-Star weekend. Among the options being discussed is reopening the collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire in 2011.

“David and I talk from time to time,” Hunter said, “and we just thought it was apropos that we sit down and begin to look at the situation, particularly in view of the current economic climate, in hopes of getting another deal in place without some kind of work stoppage, lockout, etc.”

The N.B.A. has had only one labor stoppage, in 1998, when owners imposed a lockout that nearly wiped out the season. A deal was struck in January 1999, allowing the league to play a truncated 50-game schedule.

..snip

Wonder how the economy will affect the negotiations.

[1gobluedem]

1. Are they being asked to take a pay cut and pay for their health care

In order to be competitive with import basketball leagues? Like the UAW is being asked to do?

[madinmaryland]

2. A 10% cut on an average $5 million salary.

Yeah, they'll really be hurting.

:sarcasm:

[Captain Hilts]

3. THE most over-paid of athletes. And the market is now having a harder time upholding them. nt

[nickgutierrez]

4. The NBA usually gets it right.

It's the one league where, by and large, there really seems to be a good feeling between the players, the commissioner, and the owners. The fact that they are sitting down for talks, two years before the end of the CBA, is promising.

[madinmaryland]

5. The NFL and it's union have also been having good relations the last 15 years or so.

[nickgutierrez]

6. Well, there haven't been any work stoppages.

The former players would tell a different story, I think, but they're not happy with the union, either.