Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 5, 1994 TAG: 9410050097
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Forget about moving the 3-point line. The real topic of interest when the NBA's Board of Governors meets today is the league's labor situation.
Although owners will decide on a raft of items, including shortening the 3-point line and approving a new owner for the Minnesota Timberwolves, commissioner David Stern's report on collective bargaining is the most urgent business facing the group.
The NBA's labor deal with the players expired at the end of last season, no talks have been held since July 11 and the season starts Nov. 4.
With the major league baseball season canceled because of a strike and hockey players locked out, talk of an NBA lockout is hot and heavy.
The league, which has never had a work stoppage, has tried to squelch such talk, saying it hopes things won't come to that.
But with the NBA and its players far apart on several major issues, can pro basketball do any better than baseball and hockey in the labor department?
``I feel optimistic,'' deputy commissioner Russ Granik said. ``I still think the track record between the union and management has been good. I don't have any reason to think that won't continue.''
Just as in baseball and hockey, however, what the owners want and what the players want in a new agreement are two very different sets of things.
The players' union wants to eliminate the salary cap, restrictions on free agency and the college draft and get a larger share of revenues.
The owners want to close loopholes in the current salary cap, such as contract clauses that allow players to become restricted free agents after one year and balloon payments at the end of a contract. The league also would like to see restrictions on rookie salaries, and it insists on continuing the draft.
The players' association has challenged the legality of the cap, draft and right of first refusal for free agency, alleging antitrust violations. The players lost a court decision in July, but appealed and are awaiting a ruling before returning to the bargaining table.
However, that ruling isn't expected until the middle of the month, leaving about two weeks before the start of the season to hammer out a deal.
``We have plenty of impetus to want to make a new deal and continue our growth,'' Granik said.
If matters aren't resolved by then, the league could press for players to take a no-strike pledge, ensuring the season could proceed without threat of interruption.
``That's not anything we're focusing on now,'' Granik said. ``It's too early to think about that.''
While no resolution of the labor situation will come out of the owners' meeting, several rule changes will.
To beef up scoring and unclog the lane, the 3-point line would be moved to a uniform 22-foot arc. Currently, the arc extends from 22 feet in the corners to 23 feet, nine inches at the top of the key.
Players fouled on a 3-pointer would get three free throws.
The owners also are expected to adopt a rule requiring any player who commits two flagrant fouls in a game to be ejected. In another move to reduce fighting, any player leaving the bench during an altercation would be subject to a minimum one-game suspension and fined a maximum of $20,000.
The owners also will vote on whether to place the expansion Toronto Raptors, which begin play in 1995, in the Atlantic or Central Division.
Also on the agenda is Glen Taylor's purchase of the Minnesota Timberwolves from Harvey Ratner and Marv Wolfenson, who earlier this year tried to sell the team to a group of investors in New Orleans. The NBA blocked that deal, citing inadequate financing.
by CNB