NEW YORK — Michael Jordan and Paul Allen, two megalomaniacs who were only bit players through the first 128 days of the NBA lockout, were in attendance Saturday evening as negotiations between owners and players resumed with federal mediator George Cohen assisting.
But it was a mix of hawks and doves, too, as Jordan and Allen were joined by Mickey Arison of the Miami Heat, who was fined $500,000 early in the week after he tweeted a fan was “barking at the wrong owner” after three-days of talks ended last Friday with the sides failing to reach an agreement.
Also attending were the members of the owners’ negotiating committee, including Robert Sarver (Phoenix), James Dolan (Knicks), Mark Cuban (Mavericks), Wyc Grousbeck (Celtics), Jerry Buss (Lakers), Clay Bennett (Thunder), Glen Taylor (Timberwolves), Dan Gilbert (Cavaliers) and labor relations board chairman Peter Holt (Spurs).
A full list of players was not immediately available, but Chauncey Billups was spotted at the midtown Manhattan hotel where he talks were taking place.
Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the first owner to be fined for public comments related to the lockout when he spoke to reporters in Australia during the summer about the financial needs of the NBA’s small-market teams. He recently emerged as the supposed leader of a contingent of 10 to 14 hard-line owners, a matter I addressed in my column this morning.
Jordan was attending a formal bargaining session for the first time since he was on the other side of the table, aligned with Hunter in the closing days of the 1998-99 lockout.
Allen made a surprise appearance at a negotiating session two weeks ago that commissioner David Stern missed because of the flu. He reportedly remained mute during that session when union director Billy Hunter was questioning him, and union attorney Jeffrey Kessler claimed after that breakup that the talks “had been hijacked.”
Saturday’s meeting began about an hour later than its scheduled 4 p.m. start. Earlier Saturday, the NBA’s Board of Governors held an unusual full meeting in anticipation of tonight’s negotiating session.
Jason Whitlock wrote an article that killed MJ! I usually disagree with darn near everything that cat has to say. But he knocked this particular column out of the park.
Chris,
You’ve assembled an incredible basketball blog/site. I check it multiple times a day, and I’m really not that into the NBA.
I feel like you’re missing the bigger picture about these negotiations. The owners want to either be profitable, or have a chance at a championship. Otherwise, what’s the point of owning anNBA team?
If these negotiations happened last year, they would have been resolved at 52%, because every owner would have thought that if they get lucky enough to draft a superstar, they have a chance, and if not, they might break even.
LeBron, Carmelo, Deron, and likely Howard changed all that. They, obviously, have every right to go to what ever team they want, but now the small market teams believe they cannot compete for championships. Therefore, they want to be guaranteed profits.
It also doesn’t help matters that Hunter has completely abdicated his responsibilities and is just pounding the table and hoping for a deal.
It would take a miracle for there to be an NBA season at this point. The owners will absolutely not go above 50%, and that might be off the table. Historically, the best offer the players get is right before games get missed.
I fear that MJ is trying to outdo Isiah Thomas after hearing about how his former rival shut down and bankrupted the Continental Basketball Association.