It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and no, this isn’t the start of the popular carol, but rather word that a consensus for a December 22nd start to the 2020-21 NBA season is anticipated by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Tweeting that at a Board of Governors’ meeting Thursday the league will share progress on that goal with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and team representatives, who may meet as soon as that afternoon.
He also notes that they are “expected to get a consensus on approving a Dec. 22 tip,” notably.
The date is important to avoid the potential for hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, which would in turn have a dramatic effect on player salaries.
Reporting w/ @ZachLowe_NBA: NBA has Thursday meeting of Board of Governors that will share latest w/ teams on progress toward reaching deal for pre-Christmas start to season. NBPA/team reps meeting as soon as Thursday PM, expected to get a consensus on approving a Dec. 22 tip.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 4, 2020
An alternative start date of January 18th was broached and was to be voted on Thursday evening or Friday according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, and it seems Woj believes the December date will ultimately carry the day.
Other issues under consideration are a number of revenue-generating possibilities related to gaming and alcohol sales, and a revamped version of the Disney restart play-in tournament.
The amount of player salary escrow — withheld each year to protect against shortfalls in league revenue — and how it will be applied in future seasons will also be under negotiation.
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