Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Oklahoma Senators Face Difficult Options On Disaster Relief
The NBA and its referee union got together again this week to negotiate by phone. Lamell McMorris, the spokesman and chief negotiator for the union, told the New York Times that the NBA concluded talks by saying there was no need to talk further, which implies to McMoriss that the referee lockout feared over the past few weeks will come to pass.Ref training camp was supposed to begin Sunday in Chicago. At this point, the league is expected to instead use D-League and WNBA refs once the preseason begins October 1.
Howard Beck's Times story also reveals (via anonymous sources) some details of the rejected NBA offer not previously disseminated, particularly the slice of the proposal which McMorris had recently told FanHouse would effectively push out veteran referees. Beck reports the league has asked for a reduction in the typical severance paid to referees older than 55. This would go into effect after the 2010-11 season, effectively creating an incentive for the numerous officials older than 55 to retire after one more season.
The fat lady hasn't sung -- we still have almost two weeks until the preseason opener between the Jazz and Nuggets, and some 39 days before the beginning of the regular season. But I think I hear someone warming up in the dressing room. And she sounds hungry. To all the cynics who think replacement refs won't matter ... just you wait. Dick Bavetta will never have more fans in Denver and Salt Lake than he will on the morning of October 2.
PHOTOS: Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction
WATCH: Tornadoes Rip Through Central U.S.
WATCH: Tornado Victim Finds Dog During CBS Interview
Apple Blasted For Paying Almost No Taxes On $74 Billion In Income
Obama Reportedly Suggests Putting Off Gay Marriage Controversy In Immigration
CBS Reporter's Grave Allegations
Reporter Cries Covering Moore Tornado
Inhofe: Oklahoma Aid Will Be 'Completely Different' From Sandy Aid
Rand Paul Rips Congress For 'Bullying' Apple
Jon Has Had Enough
WATCH: Mom's Emotional Reunion With Son After Tornado
JPMorgan Chase Defeats Anti-Dimon Proposal
PHOTOS: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc On Central U.S.
Texas Passes 'Merry Christmas Bill'
Right-Wing Church Blames Tornado Devastation On Support For Gay Player
Most American's Don't Approve Of DOJ's AP Investigation
Israel, Syria Exchange Fire Over Border
Obama Approval Remains Steady
Court Annuls Rios Montt Genocide Conviction
Gun Sales Soar In Colorado As Gun Control Laws Pass
Bomb Blasts Claim More Lives In Iraq
Did Pope Francis Perform An Exorcism?
Huge Sinkhole Kills Five In Shenzhen
Police END Search For Susan Powell
Sequestration Weakens Government Watchdogs, Making It Harder To Detect Waste And Fraud
Treasury, IRS Reportedly Spoke Multiple Times About How To Handle Scandal
WATCH: Robert Gibbs Takes Swipe At Maureen Dowd
Sarah Palin: 'Global Warming My Gluteus Maximus'
