NBA player agent David Falk claims he can end the lockout in a day
While the NBA owners and players continue to spar over the labour dispute and time left for the start of the new NBA season continues to slip away, one man claims he could get the deal done in a day. Powerful NBA agent David Falk
has a long history of association with the league and he claims he has a proposal that can sort out the differences within 24 hours.
The NBA and players have been at odds over the formulation of a new CBA after the old one expired this summer. The league entered a lockout on July 1st and since then negotiations were slow at first and have been frustrating
lately.
David Falk though believes that both sides have been immature and wasted a whole lot of time in posturing. He actually wanted to mediate between the two parties using his extensive ties and says he has a formula to get the mess
sorted out.
“I volunteered. I’ve given both sides very, very specific suggestions on how to get over the hurdle. … I think that I could make this deal in one day, with either party. I really do. I know it sounds egotistical saying that, but
I know all the owners well. … Obviously I’ve represented players for 37 years.” Falk said according to Sports Radio Interviews.
The wily old agent also said that the partial involvement of the players in the matter was a cause for concern. He singled out some super star players, such as Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dwight Howard of the Orlando
Magic, and said they needed to take things into their hands rather than sit out as spectators.
“I’m disappointed that the young stars of the NBA today, the LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, those guys need to be involved full-time, not part-time. … I think that they are allowing other people to determine
their future financial fortunes, which is a terrible mistake.”
His comments seem aimed at the recent spate of meetings between NBA and the NBPA which have failed to produce any positive results. The meetings have largely been held between small groups, with NBA Commissioner David Stern and
Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver leading the owners and Billy Hunter and Derek Fisher representing the players. Some economists and lawyers have also been present at the meetings, but actual player representation does look scant.
The NBPA did hold a conference on Thursday to brief its members over the matters pertaining to negotiations and player representatives from each NBA franchise are kept informed of the details by the players’ union.
Still, it would not hurt to bring some high profile stars to the negotiating table as well.
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