NEW YORK — NBA commissioner David Stern said Thursday there was no quantifiable progress in collective bargaining talks over the summer, and the league revealed it is seeking a reduction in player salary costs by about one-third.
Stern said the league wants player costs to drop $750 million to $800 million. Deputy commissioner Adam Silver said the NBA spends $2.1 billion annually in player salaries and benefits.
“We would like to get profitable, have a return on investment,” Stern said. “There’s a swing of somewhere in the neighborhood of $750 to $800 million that we would like to change. That’s our story and we’re sticking with it.”
Stern and Silver spoke after completing two days of meetings in New York with league owners, who are seeking major changes to the current CBA that expires June 30.
Also Thursday, the league approved modifications to its instant replay rules.
Referees now can turn to review during the last two minutes of regulation, and all of overtime, to determine if a shot hit the rim and the shot clock should be adjusted, or which of two players knocked the ball out of bounds.
Footnotes.
An injury to Heat forward Mike Miller’s right thumb is expected to keep one of the NBA’s top 3-point shooters sidelined for several weeks.
• The Suns picked up the fourth-year option for Robin Lopez, keeping the center under contract through the 2011-12 season.
• Former lottery pick (No. 3 by the Bobcats in 2006) Adam Morrison was waived by the Wizards, less than a month after signing with the team.
