NEW YORK (AP) - NBA Commissioner David Stern says the league is prepared to offer a deal that could give players up to 51 percent of basketball revenue.
If the players don’t take the deal by the close of business Wednesday, the league will drop the revenue split to 47 percent, plus add a flex cap _ a deal the players would certainly reject thereby risking the season.
“We hope that this juxtaposition will cause the union to assess its position and accept the deal,” Stern said. “I think it’s fair to say that speaking on behalf of the union, Mr. Kessler rejected the mediators’ recommendations and our proposal. But hope springs eternal, and we would love to see the union accept the proposal that is now on the table.”
Stern denied that the offer is an ultimatum.
“We want to allow enough time for the union to consider our most recent proposal, and we are hopeful that they accept it,” he said.
NBA owners and players met for more than eight hours late into the night Saturday in hopes of ending the lockout before it could do further damage to an already-shortened schedule.
After “frank and open dialogue” at an owners meeting earlier Saturday, Stern said he believes owners would support this deal.
He would not speculate as to the odds on whether players will take the deal.
“I’m not going to make percentage guesses or anything like that. We want our players to play. We’d like to have a season,” Stern said. “These are the terms upon which we’re prepared to gear up and get in as many games as possible.”
Federal mediator George Cohen faced a difficult task in trying to help the sides close the financial gap that derailed talks again last week.
Going into the meeting, owners were determined not to give players anything more than a 50-50 split of basketball-related income. Players, who were guaranteed 57 percent under the old collective bargaining agreement, had proposed a reduction to 52.5 percent, leaving the sides about $100 million apart annually based on last season’s revenues.
If the players don’t take the deal by the close of business Wednesday, the league will drop the revenue split to 47 percent, plus add a flex cap.
“We hope that this juxtaposition will cause the union to assess its position and accept the deal,” Stern said. “I think it’s fair to say that speaking on behalf of the union, Mr. Kessler rejected the mediators’ recommendations and our proposal. But hope springs eternal, and we would love to see the union accept the proposal that is now on the table.”
Stern denied that the offer is an ultimatum.
“We want to allow enough time for the union to consider our most recent proposal, and we are hopeful that they accept it,” he said.
NBA owners and players met for more than eight hours late into the night Saturday in hopes of ending the lockout before it could do further damage to an already-shortened schedule.
After “frank and open dialogue” at an owners meeting earlier Saturday, Stern said he believes owners would support this deal.
He would not speculate as to the odds on whether players will take the deal.
“I’m not going to make percentage guesses or anything like that. We want our players to play. We’d like to have a season,” Stern said. “These are the terms upon which we’re prepared to gear up and get in as many games as possible.”
Federal mediator George Cohen faced a difficult task in trying to help the sides close the financial gap that derailed talks again last week.
Going into the meeting, owners were determined not to give players anything more than a 50-50 split of basketball-related income. Players, who were guaranteed 57 percent under the old collective bargaining agreement, had proposed a reduction to 52.5 percent, leaving the sides about $100 million apart annually based on last season’s revenues.
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