NBA, refs far apart on contract deal

[VF21]

Sources: NBA, referees far apart on new deal
by Marc Stein


The NBA's current contract with its 60-odd referees runs out next week and the sides appear to be far apart on a new deal, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

Sept. 1 is the expiration date of the current five-year pact. One source told ESPN.com on Tuesday that -- with the league proposing an across-the-board reduction to the referee budget of an estimated 10 percent -- the impasse might not be resolved before the start the 2009-10 season.

more...ESPN.com

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I don't imagine the referees have much leverage here. When the only referees the average fan can name are the ones they dislike and would prefer to never see set foot on a court again, something tells me the NBA isn't likely to see a drop in revenue if there's a lockout and they bring in scabs.

 

[VF21]

Agreed. And if the replacements do a good job, the referees are going to find themselves in an even worse position.

 

[TheFifthMookie]

I hope Mr. Stern lays the wood to the referees. Perhaps the NBA can set up legitimate referee review as part of their contract, or performance based pay, or really, anything besides the status quo, which clearly hasn't been working properly.

 

[BonziFan]

Agreed. And if the replacements do a good job, the referees are going to find themselves in an even worse position.

Remember what happened last time. It was kind of a joke. There were blatent problems with the replacements. I dont see replacements fairing to well with NBA players. The will be treated poorly for the simple reason that they will be looked down upon by players. The current NBA refs really dont do that bad a job. Basketball is the toughest sport to officiate.

 

[VF21]

Things have changed since the last time. Yes, there would be problems but I don't think it will get to that. If the offiicals are stupid enough to try and push the owners too far, I think most fans will be more than happy to put up with a bunch of new guys.

 

[BonziFan]

Things have changed since the last time. Yes, there would be problems but I don't think it will get to that. If the offiicals are stupid enough to try and push the owners too far, I think most fans will be more than happy to put up with a bunch of new guys.

I dont necessarily think the fans will have too much of a problem with it, considering most are fed up with NBA refs, but players, i guarantee will have issues with it. With that being said, I dont think that it will get that far either.

 

[Oprostaj]

The current NBA refs really dont do that bad a job.

Ha! Good one, I needed that today. That second sentence is debatable... tough yes, but football can be tougher at times depending on the situation. Throw in the fact that individually, each football game means more than each basketball game due to the number of games played (end of basketball season nonwithstanding) and each decision the refs make is magnified.

In any case, screw these refs. After some performances and blatant idiocy I've seen in last season alone, they got no leverage.

 

[Kings Faithful]

Remember what happened last time. It was kind of a joke. There were blatent problems with the replacements. I dont see replacements fairing to well with NBA players. The will be treated poorly for the simple reason that they will be looked down upon by players. The current NBA refs really dont do that bad a job. Basketball is the toughest sport to officiate.

There are a few refs I would like to keep... Joe Crawford being one of them. I was impressed that he admitted and apologized to missing that foul on Brent Barry in the playoffs. I can understand human error, it happens. What I hate is when even after the tape shows the story refs will continue to BS their way out of fault.

 

[BonziFan]

There are a few refs I would like to keep... Joe Crawford being one of them. I was impressed that he admitted and apologized to missing that foul on Brent Barry in the playoffs. I can understand human error, it happens. What I hate is when even after the tape shows the story refs will continue to BS their way out of fault.

Actually, the NBA does not allow the refs to talk about games at all. I always find it interesting when they do say something. That is why there is rarely anything said from refs.

 

[beb0p]

I don't imagine the referees have much leverage here.

I'm not sure about that....



Stern: I'm not giving up an inch. Take it or leave it.

Referees: Hey Mr. Stern, remember that time during the conference final you whispered to us that you prefer to see the Lakers in the Final instead of the other team? Funny thing, just so happen we have it on tape. You look great in it, the camera loves you!! No mistaking who's on camera there, Mr. Stern. And the audio is amazingly clear. Do you like to see it? We've made a thousand copies...

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I'm not sure about that....

Stern: I'm not giving up an inch. Take it or leave it.

Referees: Hey Mr. Stern, remember that time during the conference final you whispered to us that you prefer to see the Lakers in the Final instead of the other team? Funny thing, just so happen we have it on tape. You look great in it, the camera loves you!! No mistaking who's on camera there, Mr. Stern. And the audio is amazingly clear. Do you like to see it? We've made a thousand copies...

That, in the case that it were true, would probably constitute leverage.

 

[Gargamel]

Agreed. And if the replacements do a good job, the referees are going to find themselves in an even worse position.

Replacement refs were used in the 84 and 96 seasons. Everyone in the league was angered at their inability. By this point, the difference between the two groups of refs may not be as blatant as it was in the past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FVjQmJY1fI

 

[Gargamel]

I hope Mr. Stern lays the wood to the referees. Perhaps the NBA can set up legitimate referee review as part of their contract, or performance based pay, or really, anything besides the status quo, which clearly hasn't been working properly.

Stern's the main force that prevents those things.

 

[Superman]

Replacement refs were used in the 84 and 96 seasons. Everyone in the league was angered at their inability. By this point, the difference between the two groups of refs may not be as blatant as it was in the past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FVjQmJY1fI

If the backups do a good job, though, what happens? Do the refs buckle, or does the NBA just keep the backups?

 

[Gargamel]

If the backups do a good job, though, what happens? Do the refs buckle, or does the NBA just keep the backups?

They hired Bernie Fryer from the batch of 83 scab refs and I remember Chick discussing another ref they hired from the 95 batch (can't recall whom). Keeping them all, probably not. I don't think it matters all that much where some of these refs came from noting that Al Wood and Haywoode Workman were former players and there have been numerous refs who came out of the old CBA. However, it would take time to mold them all into the indoctrinated shills that the rest of them already are. I don't see Stern wanting to go thru that. He'll just wait until they'll agree to subjugation like he does w/ the striking players.