[ad_1]
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is interviewed prior to Game 3 of the 2020 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 4, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images / AFP
With the NBA in ongoing negotiations with the players’ union over proposed schedule formats and dates for the 2020-21 regular season, Commissioner Adam Silver told the league’s general managers Monday that the two sides are “getting together.” running out of time “if you want to start in December.
ESPN reported that the NBA held a conference call with the league’s general managers to update the teams on the status of the negotiations. Sources said Silver and the league’s office indicated that the window to start the next season before Christmas, as proposed by the owners last month, is closing.
The NBA’s current 72-game proposal includes a release on Dec. 22, and the league has previously said it would provide at least eight weeks’ notice before the launch of a new season, according to a report from The Athletic in mid-October. . Currently, the eight-week mark would run through the end of December, beyond the league’s projected start date.
The ESPN report said both sides continue to discuss options, though last week NBPA CEO Michele Roberts said players are mostly against the plan, preferring to start in January.
Members of the NBA’s Board of Governors are also considering the feasibility of a short period of free agency after the Nov. 18 draft with training camps beginning Dec. 1.
The league’s proposal, in part, is a response to the league’s $ 1.5 billion financial shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including lost revenue at the stadium, the costs of staging the NBA restart near Orlando and dwindling sources of additional income.
Regardless of when the season start date is decided, several other amendments to the current collective bargaining agreement would require adjustments. ESPN says the league and the players union are already discussing many of them.
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
