Stern slams greedy agents

NBA commissioner David Stern believes players’ agents are to blame for the failure to come to an agreement to end the lockout.

Some NBA players are believed to be discussing the possibility of disbanding their union as discussions to agree a new labour deal continue to falter, but Stern thinks that is a poor tactic. Those placing an NBA bet will hope things get sorted soon.

He is concerned that the players are not getting the proper information about the contents of the latest proposal from the NBA because their agents are worried it will cost them money.

“By some combination of mendacity and greed, the agents who are looking out for themselves rather than their clients are trying to scuttle the deal,” said Stern.

“They’re engaged in what appears to be an orchestrated Twitter campaign and a series of interviews that are designed to deny the economic realities of the proposal.”

Player representatives will meet on Monday to decide if they should put the latest proposal from the NBA to a vote. Union leaders gave the offer a lukewarm reaction last week leading to concerns that the entire season may have to be cancelled.

The revised proposal does not meet all the players’ wishes although the NBA have made some compromises. The offer increases the “mini” mid-level exception for teams over the luxury tax to $3million annually for three years, allows taxpayers to take part in sign-and-trades for the first two years, and adds another mid-level for teams under the salary cap.

Owners also want a 50-50 split of basketball-related income but, if the players reject the latest offer, then the next proposal will be for a 53-47 split in favour of the owners.

Should the players accept the deal, a 72-game season would start on 15th December.