Over the course of 32 hours between Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening, the NBA and NBPA sat through 24 hours of negotiations with federal mediator George Cohen.
When the talks broke last night, Cohen alone addressed the media as both sides went home without comment. Cohen’s comments were quick, calling the talks “direct and constructive” while telling reporters it was important to maintain confidentiality.
Sources did talk, though, telling Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
As long expected, the two sides have moved closer to a “50-50 split, give or take a point with ranges based on revenue performance,” one source said.
There’s still the issue of the systemic stuff like luxury tax and exceptions, but it seems like it took a little intervention to get stuff done.
We’ve all been joking on Twitter about what’s really going on in those marathon meetings. I’ve seen jokes involving watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or arguing about LeBron’s NBA ranking on ESPN, or counting Eddy Curry’s chins.
But the fact is that what is happening now should have been happening a long time ago. But the fact that we’re only here now shows that there was never going to be a full 2011-12 NBA season. Or, at the very least, not a full one as scheduled. Who knows what the schedule fairies will magically conjure up should a deal get done soon.
Posturing became too important. And now, like a couple of kids fighting over a toy during recess, the problem is only getting resolved once an adult steps in. So today at 2 PM, both sides will site next to Mr. Cohen and get right back to work. No “maybe we’ll meet next week” crap. Tomorrow. Eat a good breakfast, fellas.
If this ends soon, we should all chip in and get George Cohen an edible arrangement or something.
