A new Collective Bargaining Agreement was reportedly close.
A day later, close might be here.
Marc Stein and Ian Begley of ESPN:Negotiations this week between the NBA and the NBA Players Association have the parties on course to reach agreement on a new labor pact before Thursday’s deadline for either side to opt out of the current deal, according to league sources.
Sources said Wednesday that an agreement in principle on a new contract to ensure several more seasons of labor peace -- anticipated throughout the league for weeks -- could be struck between the league and the union as early as Wednesday night.
Owners and players would still have to approve the deal, but I trust NBA commissioner Adam Silver and National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts know their constituents’ requirements. I can’t see either side accepting a deal at the bargaining table only for it to be voted down by the masses.
Thursday’s deadline was always overplayed. The current CBA won’t expire until July 1, even if one side opted out by tomorrow. There would have still been plenty of time to strike a deal. But it’d be reassuring to get this finalized before an opt out and let everyone feel good about labor peace.