NBA Lockout Update: Progress Made

Well, it’s good to finally be able to report some good news regarding the NBA lockout. According to both the players and owners, Wednesday’s 15-hour negotiating session led to some progress.

“We can’t say that major progress was made in any way,” said Derek Fisher, the president of the players union, “but some progress was made on system issues.”

Hey, we’ll take it. Even commissioner David Stern was somewhat upbeat.

“The energy in the room has been good,” said Stern. “The back and forth has been good.”

The bad news? The two sides didn’t discuss the main pressing issue: the BRI split. As it stands, the players are insisting on 52.5%. The owners don’t want to go any higher than 50%.

Stern explained the negotiating strategy: “I think we’ll turn to the split when we finish with the system. Right now, it has been profitable to turn to the system.”

The system issues being discussed include contract length, allowable yearly raises, rookie contract structure, luxury tax guidelines and mid-level exception deals.

If by some miracle the NBA can end the lockout this week, some national pundits believe that an 82-game season can still be saved. Let us pray.

David Stern - Progress? (Image: TSN.ca)