Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 1, 1995 TAG: 9507030051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
The no-lockout, no-strike deal agreed to by the league and its players' association Oct.27 expired at midnight Friday.
With the league unable to reach a new labor deal with its players, NBA commissioner David Stern said he was taking a painful but necessary step.
``It's a shame that the success we and our players have enjoyed as a result of working together is now in jeopardy,'' Stern said in a statement.
It was the third work stoppage to affect major-league sports in the last 12 months. Baseball players went on strike Aug.12, and NHL owners locked out their players Sept.30, forcing the cancellation of 468 games and a delay in the season.
The lockout prohibits teams from negotiating or signing contracts with free agents and the rookies selected in Wednesday's draft. No summer leagues or tryouts will be conducted, and players will not be permitted to work out at team facilities.
``It affects players as far as any payments that might be due and benefits'' such as health insurance, NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said.
Despite the lockout, Granik said the league is willing to continue labor negotiations. No talks between the league and the National Basketball Players Association were scheduled.
``We all realize next season's at risk, and we have to try to make a deal,'' Granik said.
The move came nine days after the league and the union announced a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, to replace the one that expired in June 1994. Owners ratified the deal last week, but players tabled a vote on the contract, saying they didn't like a luxury tax intended to tighten the salary cap.
``Recent events left the owners with no other option, because the players repudiated a hard-fought agreement containing compromises and difficult choices by both sides, and the moratorium that kept this league operating this past season has now expired,'' Stern said.
Simon Gourdine, the union's executive director, did not immediately return a phone call.
The lockout comes while the union is divided by bitter infighting.
A group of players including Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing has asked the National Labor Relations Board to decertify the union, and a hearing is set for July 5.
Lawyers and agents representing the dissident players say they have enough votes to decertify and strip the union of its power to negotiate for the players.
``We believe this will force the players to come together,'' said Jeffrey Kessler, a lawyer representing the dissident players. ``We expect everyone will now realize there is no collective bargaining in this sport anymore, and the courts will be the proper place to resolve this.''
Jordan, Ewing and five other players filed a federal antitrust lawsuit Wednesday against the NBA, challenging the salary cap and the rookie draft.
by CNB