“A good compromise is one where both sides are unhappy.” If you believe that quote, then you must be a fan of the current NBA early entry policy, one of the best compromises in sports history. The policy, informally known as “One and Done,” was reached as a “split the baby” compromise between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association in 2005. As the flow of high school players entering the NBA grew, the league pushed hard for an age limit
FUBAR, Excruciating, Manipulated. These were all terms that I used to describe the search for the new Executive Director of the NBPA. The process that was used to replace Billy Hunter was full of twists and turns, intrigue, and uncertainty. It lasted way too long and was managed clumsily. There was a vote that wasn’t, then a do-over when word circulated about a seemingly forced outcome. At the end of the day the final vote was done hastily amid protest. Then, against
Today the NBA announced that the earth has shifted on its axis. The long-awaited new TV deal has been disclosed. Although it has been anticipated for a long time, it still makes the eyes water to think about a $24 billion dollar deal. It makes deep-pocketed people all over America think one thing today: Why didn’t I buy a team 5 years ago when I could have paid only $200 million? With the disclosure of the details of the contracts, many things
The short answer is $600 million “plus.” The $600 million represents economic value of the team based on fundamentals, while the “plus” represents intangible value that is specific to the buyer’s view of the Hawks opportunity. What is the “plus” worth? Keep reading. Pro sports franchises are one of a kind, extremely desirable and rarely available. While that accounts for some of the eye-popping NBA team sales prices lately, it doesn’t make pricing the next one much easier. Each team has its
The new executive director of the NBA Players Association has a lot of work to catch up on. It has been 18 months since Billy Hunter was forced out of the job, and the process of choosing a successor was long, arduous and contentious. What should be prioritized? The unresolved situation with Donald Sterling’s ownership of the Clippers? Preparing to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement in 2017, then hunkering down for a battle to try to get the players a greater
After 18 roller-coaster months, the bumpy search for Billy Hunter’s replacement as executive director of the NBA Players Association seems ready to reach its conclusion. The drama will not end easily. Even a few days before the final candidate presentations and vote, turmoil reigns as different factions try to impose their respective wills on the process. What this excruciating process has exposed is that the search for the union head is really about who has control over the players. It’s certainly not the
With the NBA draft coming up, it is kind of fun to remember back to my draft day in 1981. It’s like going through your wedding album years later. But instead of the burgundy tuxedo and ruffled shirt, its 1980s hair and wide ties. Going into my senior year at Syracuse, I was a relatively unknown player. I had played behind All-American center Roosevelt Bouie and had just played my first season as the starter. Scouting was primitive by today’s standards.
As the forces of nature push toward a rematch in the NBA Finals, fans may be treated to the end of the two current mini-dynasties. All teams have a life span measured in a small number of years, and both of these teams are nearing the end of theirs. The Spurs have been on top for a tremendously long stretch, equaled by only a few teams in recent memory. The Stockton/Malone Jazz teams coached by Jerry Sloan kept their core together