Stern's message about agents -Reply

[Ryan Falcone <FalconeR@nvg.com>]

Hart wrote:

>>> Sherry & Hart <hartleyo@ix.netcom.com> 11/05/98 11:32am >>>
Hail to the commish telling Hunter and the players that it is  those
scumbag agents (IMO agent have ruined all sports) preventing any
settlement of the lockout/strike. I advised this list yesterday that
this whole situation is due to the greed of 10% of the players who are
directly involved with the Bird exemption and that they don't give a
rat's ass about the rest of the players. They are the ones that have
been the most outspoken and it now appears that those few players and
the agents have backed Hunter in to a corner, which he is not able to
get out of.  <<<

I agree with Hart 100%.  Unfortunately, the players who comprise the
aforementioned 10% are the most visible, the most popular, and--in
general--the most talented players in the NBA.

In short, they are the minority of players that (1) fans most identify with,
and (2) the media glorifies.  That gives those players a tremendous
amount of leverage over the interests of the other 90%.

Essentially, Falk and his evil brethren have created a Have / Have-not
"members' only club" amongst the players...first in contractual salary
scale, and now in the representation of their collective bargaining
interests.  It's a bad situation.

Thoughts?  (Cecil, Dorine, & Greg, I know you're out there!)

Ryan