There is no news to announce on Tuesday the talks between labor NBA owners and players, but certainly meant that there was no bad news.
The parties agree to speak in Dallas on Wednesday, the hotel hopes to see progress in negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement before the current contract expires June 30. They had already decided that they would not publicly discuss contracts with each of the problems in negotiations until there was agreement in all.
That seems nice, for lack of a truly final, complete agreement.
It was that kind of day that is required in the process, but just as valid as any single event. Billy Hunter, executive director of the Association of basketball players, left without a meeting with reporters gathered in the lobby. Keyon Dooling and Roger Mason Jr., both vice-presidents of the EU's executive, also left and affable declined comment.
In fact, a union spokesman said the NBPA would refuse any comment on the latest talks after Wednesday's session.
At the same time, NBA Commissioner David Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver is talking about journalists. Like a couple of doctors to make rounds, this was the day of receipt and distribution of pulses is not large in the projections.
"I'm just a real positive that we continue to meet," said Stern. "When you have parties like this, it is equally easy - I do not think there is a possibility of a turning point - to say," Okay, let's pack and go home. "But no one on either side had wanted to go home. They wanted to schedule [Wednesday]."
About eight players and 10 players participated in the session for five hours Tuesday. The option remains for the third day of talks Thursday, Stern said, if both parties see value in it after Wednesday.
Problems remain significant differences, serious. The league said 22 of its 30 teams could lose money this season, with losses totaling nearly $ 300 million. The owners are seeking would be a reduction in payroll of $ 700 million to 800 million with the introduction of a salary cap, shorter contracts and fewer guaranteed salary. Which, respectively, are called "split" and themes "system."
The union's position is that business is good for the NBA, as evidenced by evaluations and the presence of television, and that modifications to the current CBA to be less dramatic. The League argues that non-player costs have risen faster than income, the presentation of the teams red ink black.
"There were a lot of back and forth between players and owners," said Silver, "and we think it is very productive for them to talk directly to each other."
Stern said: "There was nothing I have said, 'OK, we agree on this point and put it aside." There was extensive discussion, literally on the system issues and problems of distribution. Some of them were in the language of diplomacy, "open" and "frank." "
In other words, he acknowledged, "heated."
The Commissioner acknowledged that when both parties are really starting to make progress, he can come either incrementally or in large, sudden progress.
"It can happen both ways," said Stern. "But sometimes, on certain points, there is a turning point. Perhaps it is not" Eureka! "Moment, but the feeling that, 'OK, you know, if I am here. Let's talk about something else."
"And frankly, if you were sitting and listening [Tuesday], which says:" These guys are all over the lot "and would be a good thing because we are all discussion on the systems. A point of Split in everything we apart. "
