Tuesday, June 21, 2005
NBA AVOIDS LOCKOUT
Well, so much for me wanting to talk about a possible lockout.
According to ESPN, the NBA owners and players have agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement. If there wasn't an agreement signed by July 1, there would have been a lockout, similar to the labor dispute in 1998-1999.
The 6-year deal includes each of the following features:
A 19-year old age limit OR one year out of high school
(Players who aren't 19 years of age by the night of the NBA Draft would be ineligible for the draft)
Contract lengths would be reduced by one year
(Raises would be reduced to 10 percent if a player re-signs with his current team and 8 percent if they sign with a different team in free agency)
Revamped drug policy
(Players would be randomly tested 4 times a year)
We should know much more about the new CBA tonight before Game 6 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio. Thumbs up to the NBA owners and players for getting a deal done. They knew that they couldn't afford a lockout. I really hope Gary Bettman is paying attention to the NBA right now.
So with that, we'll have NBA basketball next year! Sonics and Blazers fans rejoice! As for myself, I'll be able to visit the FedEx Forum in Memphis next season to watch the Grizzlies play. Let's just say that the Beale Street business community is very happy right now with the new CBA agreement for the NBA. Professional sports isn't just about the players on the court, field, and rink. It's also about the local businesses. If you don't think that's true, you're kidding yourself.
Yes, I'll watch a little bit of Game 6 tonight. Thanks once again to Big Shot Bob.
According to ESPN, the NBA owners and players have agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement. If there wasn't an agreement signed by July 1, there would have been a lockout, similar to the labor dispute in 1998-1999.
The 6-year deal includes each of the following features:
A 19-year old age limit OR one year out of high school
(Players who aren't 19 years of age by the night of the NBA Draft would be ineligible for the draft)
Contract lengths would be reduced by one year
(Raises would be reduced to 10 percent if a player re-signs with his current team and 8 percent if they sign with a different team in free agency)
Revamped drug policy
(Players would be randomly tested 4 times a year)
We should know much more about the new CBA tonight before Game 6 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio. Thumbs up to the NBA owners and players for getting a deal done. They knew that they couldn't afford a lockout. I really hope Gary Bettman is paying attention to the NBA right now.
So with that, we'll have NBA basketball next year! Sonics and Blazers fans rejoice! As for myself, I'll be able to visit the FedEx Forum in Memphis next season to watch the Grizzlies play. Let's just say that the Beale Street business community is very happy right now with the new CBA agreement for the NBA. Professional sports isn't just about the players on the court, field, and rink. It's also about the local businesses. If you don't think that's true, you're kidding yourself.
Yes, I'll watch a little bit of Game 6 tonight. Thanks once again to Big Shot Bob.
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