Facts and Noise: Lockout Edition

· by · in Bill Simmons, David Stern, ESPN, Lockout. ·
Much talk, little progress

This isn’t breaking news or anything but I hate the lockout. I stopped blogging because I didn’t want to write about it. My sister works for a fledgling school district in Langhorne, Pa., I worry about her. I’m far less concerned about the players bringing down their percentage of BRI (basketball-related income).

The lockout began on July 1, 201l. Since then, there’s been a lot of noise coming from the players, owners, agents and talking heads. Although thanks to the baseball playoffs, hockey, college and pro football, no one really seems to notice/care. (Don’t blame you). I told you my opinion and I’m sure yours falls within the confines of mine —  these rich bastards better stop arguing and get back to the game before they lose me or screw these rich bastards, I’m out.

Below are quick facts to get you caught up on the lockout and some links for opinions. If you want a more detailed history of the lockout (although why would you?) click here.

The facts:

  • All games from Nov.1-Nov. 14 have been cancelled, costing players approximately $170 million in salaries, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN.
  • The main sticking points since July: division of revenues and restructured salary cap system. 
  • David Stern and Billy Hunter brought in Federal mediator, George Cohen (worked on NFL lockout) to mediate sessions.
  • In the last 32 hours, the two sides have met for approximately 24 of them. Little progress was made in that time, though both sides are reportedly inching closer to an agreeable revenue split
  • Owners upped their offer of a $3.4mil/yr mid-level exception (MLE) to $5 mil/yr. This is down from the former MLE, $5.8/yr in the CBA from 2005.
  • Owners proposed a strong luxury tax, punishing teams for going over the salary cap. The players oppose this, saying the luxury tax would act as a de facto hard-salary cap, which of course the players refuse to accept.
The noise:
Check back tomorrow for more facts/noise.

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