The NBA lockout is facing a big week, starting Monday when a collection of NBA players meet in New York to ultimately decide whether they should vote on the latest proposal or vote to decertify the union and all but end any hope for a 2011-12 NBA season. The deal they will be looking at is now available for public consumption, too, as USA Today obtained a copy on Sunday evening.
NBA’s Collective Bargaining Proposal To Players, As Leaked To USA Today
The agreement came with a cover letter, signed by NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver, that said “We stand ready to engage with you on all of the remaining bargaining issues at your earliest convenience.”
There wasn’t anything terribly exciting in the leaked deal as most of it had already been divulged by numerous sources reporting on the lockout, but it did eliminate a few rumors -- such as the already debunked D-League clause -- that had everyone up in arms over the weekend.
Among the major topics in the leaked deal were the split of Basketball Related Income (either a straight 50-50 split or a 51-49 "band" agreement), numerous salary cap exceptions and details, a decrease in minimum and rookie salaries by approximately 12 percent and the much-talked about amnesty clause. The NBA attempted to answer questions about the proposal Sunday evening on Twitter as well, but that didn't go as well as planned.
The players are expected to reply to the proposal, in some form or fashion, early in the week. The NBA has earmarked December 15 as a possible new start to what would end up being a 72-game season if the deal is ratified in time.
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