Peter May On David Stern

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

                                [Boston Globe Online / Sports]

                                Stern paying the price, too

                                By Peter May, Globe Staff, 09/15/98
T                               Those 30-odd high-priced NBA players due money this summer aren't the
                                only ones trying to get by without a paycheck during the lockout. They
                                have an odd comrade of sorts in commissioner David Stern.

                                He, too, is going without a check, having voluntarily decided to do so last
                                month as a sign that he is willing to take a hit for the cause. (He's also
                                gone without a shave for some time as well, but that's another story.) The
                                decision represents a substantial financial hit for Stern; his salary is
                                estimated to be at least double the league average of $2.5 million. Stern
                                declined comment yesterday when asked about his decision.

                                If he stays the course, he could be out some serious cash because there are no
                                signs that a deal is anywhere in the picture. There are no bargaining sessions
                                scheduled as the league awaits an arbitration decision on whether players with
                                guaranteed contracts (read: most of them) should be paid during a lockout. The
                                sides are finalizing briefs and will submit them Friday. The arbitrator, John
                                Feerick, will then have up to 30 days to render his decision, although both
                                sides think it won't take that long.

                                The NBA imposed a lockout July 1 when the Collective Bargaining Agreement
                                expired. The impasse already has forced the cancellation of an exhibition game
                                in Israel and has put the start of training camp (Oct. 6) and the regular
                                season (Nov. 3) in serious jeopardy.

                                This story ran on page C08 of the Boston Globe on 09/15/98.
                                © Copyright 1998 Globe Newspaper Company.

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