Adam Silver addresses CBA negotiations after board of governors meeting

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed a number of pressing issues in a press conference held at the NBA Board of Governors meeting. One of the most significant topics discussed was the ongoing negotiations over the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the league and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Silver acknowledged that progress had been made, but also noted that there was still a gap to bridge before a deal could be reached.

Silver said that discussions would continue until the opt-out deadline on Friday, and expressed his hope that a new CBA could be agreed upon before that time. However, he also made it clear that if no deal was reached by Friday, the league would opt out of the current CBA, which is set to expire at the end of June. This would give the league and the NBPA three months to negotiate a new agreement.

The negotiations have covered a wide range of topics, including player health, finances, and other areas. Silver did not go into specifics about the sticking points, but his comments suggested that the negotiations were complex and challenging. He stressed the importance of finding a deal that would benefit all parties involved, including players, teams, and the league as a whole.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was the financial troubles facing Diamond Sports Group, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Diamond Sports Group is responsible for making payments to NBA teams for the rest of the season, and Silver said that the company had assured the league that it would be able to make those payments despite its bankruptcy filing. He also noted that there were constructive talks about future partnerships between the NBA and Diamond Sports Group.

Silver also addressed the ongoing speculation about Michael Jordan potentially selling his majority share in the Charlotte Hornets. He confirmed that there were discussions ongoing, but emphasized that nothing had been decided yet. He also stated that Jordan would remain an alternate governor in the NBA even if he did sell his stake in the team.

One positive note from the press conference was Silver's announcement that the league is on pace for a record number of sold-out games this season. This is good news for the NBA, as attendance figures have been a concern in recent years.

Finally, Silver addressed a recent report that he may be courted for the CEO position at Disney. He dismissed the report, saying that he loves his job at the NBA and has no intention of leaving.

Overall, the press conference gave insight into the challenges facing the NBA as it works to negotiate a new CBA and navigate the financial landscape of the league. Silver's comments suggest that there is still a lot of work to be done, but that progress is being made. The NBA will need to continue to work hard to find solutions that benefit all stakeholders and ensure the long-term success of the league.