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It's coming down to the wire, regarding news if there will or will not be a 2011-12 NBA season.
NBA commissioner David Stern said Thursday (October 13) that if significant progress toward a new collective bargaining agreement isn't reached by early next week that the remainder of the season, which already lost two weeks, may be in jeopardy.
He explained the league's position in a recent interview with NBA.com.
"Each side is going to meet with the mediator on Monday, and if there's a breakthrough, it's going to come on Tuesday," Stern said. "And if not, I think that the season is really going to potentially escape from us, because we aren't making any progress ...
"How many times does it pay to keep meeting, and to have the same things thrown back at you? We're ready to sit down and make a deal," he continued. "I don't believe that the union is. Hopefully by Tuesday, aided by the mediator, they'll be ready to make a deal. Certainly I'll bring my owners ready to make a deal."
Stern said he expected some progress last weekend, when both sides (players and team owners) met for about 12 1/2 hours over two days. However, there was an issue with the luxury tax -- the league looking for a more punitive tax than the union was willing to accept.
When things fell apart, the commissioner says he's was "stunned."
The sides will meet Monday. Let's keep our fingers crossed. As fans of the NBA, over here at BallerStatus.com, no NBA season would really suck!
Watch the full interview over at NBA.com.
NBA commissioner David Stern said Thursday (October 13) that if significant progress toward a new collective bargaining agreement isn't reached by early next week that the remainder of the season, which already lost two weeks, may be in jeopardy.
He explained the league's position in a recent interview with NBA.com.
"Each side is going to meet with the mediator on Monday, and if there's a breakthrough, it's going to come on Tuesday," Stern said. "And if not, I think that the season is really going to potentially escape from us, because we aren't making any progress ...
"How many times does it pay to keep meeting, and to have the same things thrown back at you? We're ready to sit down and make a deal," he continued. "I don't believe that the union is. Hopefully by Tuesday, aided by the mediator, they'll be ready to make a deal. Certainly I'll bring my owners ready to make a deal."
Stern said he expected some progress last weekend, when both sides (players and team owners) met for about 12 1/2 hours over two days. However, there was an issue with the luxury tax -- the league looking for a more punitive tax than the union was willing to accept.
When things fell apart, the commissioner says he's was "stunned."
The sides will meet Monday. Let's keep our fingers crossed. As fans of the NBA, over here at BallerStatus.com, no NBA season would really suck!
Watch the full interview over at NBA.com.
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