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Mediation talks set to continue
Source: Agencies |
October 21, 2011, Friday
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MEDIATION talks between National Basketball Association owners and players will spill into a third day after another marathon meeting failed to resolve the bitter labor dispute.
The two sides met for eight hours in New York on Wednesday, following Tuesday's 16-hour session with federal mediator George Cohen, leaving hope the parties might yet salvage the NBA season.
Yesterday's meeting would mark the first time the two sides had bargained for three consecutive days.
"Everyone is extremely focused on the core issues, the difficult issues that confront them. The discussions have been direct and constructive, and as far as we are concerned, we are here to continue to help assist the parties to endeavor to reach an agreement," Cohen told NBA TV.
NBA Commissioner David Stern has identified this week's mediation talks as a potential "make-or-break" for the league, with the preseason and the first two weeks of the regular season already canceled.
The protracted dispute came to a head on July 1, when the league locked out players on July 1 after they failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement.
Should no breakthrough be achieved this week, Stern could cancel more games.
NBA owners contend the league lost US$300 million last season with 22 of 30 teams in the red. They had wanted the players' share of basketball-related income cut to 47 percent from the previous CBA, along with a firm salary cap and shorter contracts. The players had offered to reduce their share from 57 to 53 percent.
Owners pushed back board meetings yesterday to allow members of the labor relations committee to continue talks with the players.
The two sides met for eight hours in New York on Wednesday, following Tuesday's 16-hour session with federal mediator George Cohen, leaving hope the parties might yet salvage the NBA season.
Yesterday's meeting would mark the first time the two sides had bargained for three consecutive days.
"Everyone is extremely focused on the core issues, the difficult issues that confront them. The discussions have been direct and constructive, and as far as we are concerned, we are here to continue to help assist the parties to endeavor to reach an agreement," Cohen told NBA TV.
NBA Commissioner David Stern has identified this week's mediation talks as a potential "make-or-break" for the league, with the preseason and the first two weeks of the regular season already canceled.
The protracted dispute came to a head on July 1, when the league locked out players on July 1 after they failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement.
Should no breakthrough be achieved this week, Stern could cancel more games.
NBA owners contend the league lost US$300 million last season with 22 of 30 teams in the red. They had wanted the players' share of basketball-related income cut to 47 percent from the previous CBA, along with a firm salary cap and shorter contracts. The players had offered to reduce their share from 57 to 53 percent.
Owners pushed back board meetings yesterday to allow members of the labor relations committee to continue talks with the players.
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