NEW YORK — David Stern and NBA owners have made a new take it-or-leave-it offer to the players, who have until Wednesday to make up their minds.
The new offer; incorporating suggestions made by federal mediator George Cohen, would give the players between 49 and 51 percent of revenues; depending on the level of financial growth.
The union did not immediately comment following the 8 1/2-hour meeting, but Stern said union attorney Jeffrey Kessler had rejected the new proposal.
Stern said the owners had accepted five of six compromises proposed by the mediator, including allowing taxpaying teams to have access to a mini midlevel exception worth $5 million over two years. Teams paying the tax would still be prohibited from making sign-and-trade deals.
Stern said the owners would redu@e their offer to 47 percent if it is not accepted by the close of business Wednesday.
“I’d like to know Fisher’s plan of action to get a better deal.”
I’m not speaking to the legal chances of winning, but what Fisher and crew intend to do seems pretty obvious unless an overwhelming majority of players come forward to force them do otherwise by Wednesday. Once you read through all of the nuclear option media hype about decertification, you see that it’s biggest intended negotiating benefit is for the 45 day waiting period for a vote to place negotiating pressure on the owners before risking not only a lost season but possible treble damages. If you assume the drop dead date on the entire season remains early January, like it was in 1999 there still is plenty of time remaining to get that vote in before the season is completely lost. Therefore, there’s a good chance that the union goes that route thinking that at worst the pressure from decertification will still put todays 49-51% offer on the table rather than Stern’s foot stomping 47% ‘scary deal’, and at best they force the league to the table with a real last best offer. Perhaps Stern needs just that kind of pressure to get his hard line owners off the the snide to make a respectable deal and he’s leaving enough time to do that by making his ultimatum now vs. later.
Hope the players union keeps some perspective. Worse then what you had, but it will still be the best damn league to play basketball in on the planet.
they just need to take it. their contracts are still gaurenteed in full regardlesss of the bri, and the amnesty money should help too. It kinda sucks for luxury teams, but its a workable deal… still better than the nfl has it.
But their not going to take it, Fisher pretty much said that tonight, so it’s over……..
I’d like to know Fisher’s plan of action to get a better deal.
Fisher will never let the playerd vote on the deal because he will lose. The agents will never allow the vote to happen because they too will lose money.
Season is over. If the players want to dissolve of the union, let them. and they will lose again.
I thought Stern was agreeable to 51-49 split early on but is way past that now. It is time for actions and Stern is calling the shots.
I give up! A take it or leave it offer is probably not going to fly with the players, so the season is over until 2012