NEW YORK – NBA lockout talks stretched into the evening Friday at the same building where the 1998 lockout took a turn for the worse, and where Latrell Sprewell’s arbitration hearing was held.
Just a stone’s throw from Central Park, the usual suspects from more than two dozen previous negotiating sessions assembled again. They included David Stern, Adam Silver and Peter Holt for the owners; and Billy Hunter, Derek Fisher and Maurice Evans for the players.
The players new antitrust litigation lawyers; David Boies and Jonathan Schiller, were NOT in attendance.
As of 7:30 p.m. local time, the sides had been meeting for 7 1/2 hours — although Silver, Holt and league attorneys Rick Buchanan and Dan Rube were seen outside taking a 5-minute fresh air break.
The meetings were being held in the same law office where the 1998 negotiations broke off with one last chance to save an 82-game season. That lockout ended Jan. 5, 1999, and a 50-game season was played. e
Chris: while you’re sitting on this stakeout all this hours can you give your loyal followers a feeling that this day or night might be different than others and that a break-thru is about to happen.
So I guess if the players continue with the legal system route, David Boies is going to have to give up his “Stern ultimatum” strategy, right?
If Derek Fisher is there, I’m going to go out on a limb and say a deal will be made. The players will submit to the owners.
My recommendation to the players is try to lock in the deal for as long as you can. Cause it won’t be long until the league is losing money again and blaming it on player salaries.
i thought no negotiating without David Boise ?
Chris, thanks for the update….but once you start giving your opinions on these matters that’s when your a deer in the headlights.
There is no opinion in this report, Jim. My only opinion tonight is that it sucks sitting outside in the cold on this particular stakeout night. I also am of the opinion tnat more people should read Nick Gibson’s column from earlier today.