The league expects to open the season with a tripleheader on Christmas Day. Despite missing almost eight weeks of the season, the NBA is aiming to squeeze in a 66-game season for each team, which would require extending the regular season by approximately two weeks and condensing the playoffs. A typical NBA season begins about Nov. 1 and includes 82 games.

The 76ers are scheduled to open training camp Dec. 9 at the team’s practice facility at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“I was surprised about the news,” the Sixers’ Andre Iguodala said. “I’m not sure if guys are ready, because they were in limbo about when things would start. The biggest challenge is going to be dealing with injuries and how practice is handled. We can’t go too hard in practice with so many games (in a shorter period of time).”

In recent seasons, the Sixers held camp at St. Joseph’s University, but the last-minute timing and scheduling conflicts forced camp to the more low-key environment at PCOM.

The deal was reached about 3 a.m. EST and is pending approval of both the league’s labor relations committee and the NBA board of governors — a collection of all 30 owners — as well as the players union, which must re-form to hold a vote among its 450 players.

To ratify the deal, a majority vote is needed from each side. Both NBA commissioner David Stern and players union chief Billy Hunter said they expect the agreement to be ratified and become the league’s next collective bargaining agreement. The proposed 10-year deal would allow either side to opt out after the sixth year.

Stern said the agreement was “subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations, but we’re optimistic that will all come to pass.”

The full process is expected to take as long as 10 days.

“We thought it was in both of our interests to try to reach a resolution and save the game and to be able to provide the kind of superb entertainment the NBA historically has provided,” Hunter said during a joint news conference early Saturday morning.

The NBA is scrambling to devise new schedules for each team. The Sixers will begin the abbreviated season on the road because their home arena, the Wells Fargo Center, is scheduled to host Disney on Ice shows during the last week of December.

On the league’s original 2011-12 schedule, the Sixers were scheduled to play at the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 26 and remain on the road until Jan. 6, against the Detroit Pistons. It’s unclear whether either of those games will be on the new schedule.

Because of the tight time line, the start of preseason camp will coincide with the start of free agency. During a typical NBA season, there is a lengthy free-agency period well before the start of training camp.

Once the Sixers sign first-round draft pick Nikola Vucevic, they’ll have 12 players under contract. The NBA limit is 15 players. With the Sixers’ current payroll at about $55 million — the salary cap is likely to be about $58 million — they will have very little flexibility during free agency.

One area of concern will be re-signing the team’s two restricted free agents — forward Thaddeus Young and center Spencer Hawes. The Sixers have extended qualifying offers to both Young and Hawes, meaning they’re two of the 12 currently under contract, but other NBA teams can extend either player an offer.

Under the proposed collective bargaining agreement, if another team signs Young or Hawes to an offer sheet, the Sixers will have only three days to match it. Under the old agreement, they had a week.

During the league’s lockout, which began July 1, the players missed only their Nov. 15 paychecks, about one-twelfth of their yearly salary. For max-contract players such as the Sixers’ Elton Brand and Iguodala, that was more than $1 million in pretax money.

The NBA owners entered the labor dispute fighting for a more even split of basketball revenue, saying they had lost about $400 million last season. Players had been guaranteed 57 percent of basketball-related income under the old deal. Also, the league said it wanted more “competitive balance,” which it felt could be achieved with additional restrictions on how much each team spends.

The union disagreed, but ultimately the league achieved a victory on givebacks. The new deal’s target is a 50-50 split. The league did not, however, achieve the exact “hard cap” system it desired.

At Saturday morning’s news conference announcing their tentative settlement, both Stern and Hunter said they felt urgency to strike a deal because “others depend on us.”

Some of those dependent others include employees at the Wells Fargo Center, whose hours have been slashed. In addition, every NBA game pours money into surrounding establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and bars.

“Our fans and the support from the people and (their) patience through a large part of this process — that’s where a lot of this credit goes to,” said the president of the former players union, Derek Fisher. “The efforts that have been made have been largely with them in mind.”

Technically, Saturday’s agreement was a “settlement” because each side had filed a lawsuit against the other. On Nov. 14, the union dissolved and filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA. Because the NBPA no longer exists, these latest talks were characterized as “settlement talks” and not “collective bargaining.” The union, which became a trade association upon dissolution, hired high-profile lawyer David Boies, who represented the NFL during its lockout earlier this year.

Back-channel discussions between lawyers for the players and lawyers for the NBA began in earnest on Monday of last week, but weren’t reported until Wednesday.
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© 2011, The Philapdelphia Inquirer / Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

by Kate Fagan
The Philadelphia Inquirer / (MCT)
MCT CAMPUS

MCT is a joint venture of McClatchy and the Tribune Co.

There won’t even be a Super Bowl.

So what is this “lockout” all about? Well, we’ll let the NFL Network explain:
“NFL Total Access- ‘A Lockout: What’s the Issue?’”

I am a huge fan of the NFL. I hope this lockout gets resolved or I will not have any Sunday night entertainment. I will also lose my Monday night football. It’s great when I can watch the games when helmets fly off heads and paint flies off helmets. It is a beautiful sight to see.

Any game is a good game to watch. That is real hard nose football. But if they can’t come to an agreement, all games will be blacked out because no one will be playing during the 2011 season.

For more information on the lockout go to NFL.com, or you can check out this website: www.nfllockout.com

by: Donnie Carey, 8th Grade
Sports Columnist / THE LION LEDGER

They have had coaches in the past that were head coaches that couldn’t even have  winning seasons. What makes them think an offensive coordinator can do the job? I thought defense wins games?

I know the offense has to do something but dang they can’t do everything. Hugh Jackson, the Raiders old offensive coordinator is now the head coach. I wonder if that is such a good idea?

The Niners have a great head coach in Jim Harbaugh. He won a BCS Championship at the beginning of the year. I wonder what he will be able to accomplish in the NFL? He is going to have his work cut out for him. They are going without Alex Smith their star QB (quarterback).

I wonder if they are going to draft a QB. They have a very good team but do not have a good QB. They have the draft and they could get some great picks.

The Raiders and Niners aren’t going to be in the Super Bowl this year, that’s for sure. You never know what might happen next season. I think Jim Harbaugh has a better chance of winning than Hugh Jackson (since has no head coaching experience).

We will see. Maybe someone can make it to the playoffs. One day they will rise again.

by: Donnie Carey, 8th grade
Sports Columnist / THE LION LEDGER

One of their biggest wins happened on November 10th against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs were undefeated until they played the Raiders. They are tied for first in the AFC.

Honestly, I think the Raiders are an overrated team. There are still eight games left– anything could happen! They have a tough schedule up ahead. If they make it to the playoffs they will probably lose. They have just been lucky.

If the Raiders are going to get that Super Bowl ring, they are going to have to play like they did over the past few weeks.

by Donnie Carey, 8th grade
Reporter / THE LION LEDGER

MCT is a joint venture of McClatchy and the Tribune Co.

A victory parade was held in San Francisco on Wednesday. More than tens of thousands of people were there! Almost everyone who was at their games were probably at the parade. I wish I was could’ve been there but I saw it on TV.

Lots of people are happy they won. Let’s hope they win again in the future.

by Cameron Gill, 5th grade
Reporter / THE LION LEDGER

More than a half-century later, the city could heap ticker tape upon its lovable lads once more.

“My knees are weak, my heart is racing, and I’ve got a lump in my throat,” said Giants general manager Brian Sabean on Wednesday, after the World Series victory parade ended at Civic Center on a glorious and warm November afternoon.

“We deserved this. San Francisco deserved this. Northern California deserved this. It’s the most interesting life experience anyone could ever have. I can only think of one word, and that’s closure.”

If the Giants players and coaches didn’t comprehend what they achieved Monday night in Texas, the full force hit them Wednesday _ and it came in the flooding form of more than 1 million fans.

“I’m kind of having a mini heart attack,” said bearded closer Brian Wilson, who left his faux cable car several times during the parade route to mingle with fans. “I’m not sure what it’s from. Maybe the electricity of the crowd. Maybe the smell of Prop 19. I don’t know.”

After a two-hour procession of waving, blowing kisses and, in the case of Pat Burrell, open containers, the team arrived at the steps of City Hall and received the key to San Francisco from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Then came the speechmaking.

Ownership and management went first, with Sabean describing the players as “junkyard dogs on a bone. They wouldn’t let go.”

Sabean thusly introduced manager Bruce Bochy, who famously wears a custom-made 8 [-inch cap: "If you thought his head was big before we won, look at how big it is now."

Bochy had his own dry witticisms ready to go, working in a jab at Wilson's unnaturally dark beard.

"Now, we apologize a bit for the torture, for the gray hairs," Bochy said. "I looked in the mirror today and said, 'What the hell happened?' If you've got some gray here, I can bring in my closer. I think he can help you with that."

When the Giants clinched the NL West title on Oct. 3, the last day of the regular season, Bochy asked players to take a lap of gratitude around AT&T Park. The Giants weren't able to thank their fans again, having clinched all three of their playoff series on the road.

But Bochy made sure one more gesture was made.

"We felt your presence in San Diego. We felt your presence in Atlanta. We felt it in Philly, and we certainly felt it in Texas," Bochy said. "You guys were out in full force, and you made it an incredible ride. Believe me, this trophy belongs to you, San Francisco, as much as it belongs to any of us."

Announcer Duane Kuiper, who coined the phrase "Giants baseball: torture" earlier in the season, made a simple statement: "Thanks to these gentlemen here, the torture is over!"

The players appeared in groups of three, and each relayed a different message.
Matt Cain thanked families, saying: "All of us had somebody help us, a mom or a dad, a pitching coach. They had a hand in this."

Freddy Sanchez, a reformed Dodgers fan from his youth, sent a special message to the training staff: "They kept us on the field."

Catcher Buster Posey, whose brilliant rookie season promises the Giants a flush future, came the closest to mentioning a repeat: "Let's enjoy this today, tomorrow, maybe a week or a month. Then let's get back to work and make another run at it."

Tim Lincecum, the Giants' folk-hero ace with his offseason marijuana bust and penchant for dropping F-bombs on live television, kept it clean and simple this time: "All I can say is thank you and go San Francisco."

After Lincecum arrived back at AT&T Park, amid teammates boxing up their belongings, he acknowledged he still felt in a daze.

"It hasn't really settled in," Lincecum said. "On the field, you're waving your hands in the air, saying 'Can you believe it?' That's what you're asking everybody. That's what you're asking yourself. I'm still waiting for those tears. We'll see when it happens.

"You're getting a ring for more than just yourself. It's for my teammates, my coaches, my dad and loved ones, all the people who gave me guidance."
The biggest gusher came from beloved broadcaster Mike Krukow, who all but dragged a summer of love into November.

"Pass this story on. Keep the love alive," Krukow said. "And when you tell the story, simply say, we're the Giants, we're San Francisco and we are world champions."

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© 2010, San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, CA)
Visit the Mercury News online at: www.mercurynews.com
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

by Andrew Baggarly
San Jose Mercury News / (MCT)

MCT is a joint venture of McClatchy and the Tribune Co.

The plight of the Raiders was discussed in a recent conversation with one of the team’s former stars. Slinging theories is popular among the distinguished alumni, nearly all of whom have one.

But I’d never heard anyone express his so bluntly.

“I hate to say it, because the old man is a legend,” the former player said. “But I think we’re going to be like this as long as he’s around to run things. And I really don’t see him giving that up.”

The conventional thinking is that Al Davis never will sell the Raiders, for they are his life’s passion. That’s the feeling among ex-players, former employees and the broad variety of people who make up the fan base.

Indeed, thousands of fans came together to raise enough cash for a billboard advertisement that went up Tuesday, visible from northbound I-880 above High Street, about a mile south of the Oakland Coliseum. It depicts a Lombardi Trophy– and a plea for the 80-year-old owner and general manager to hire an actual GM.

These fans weeks ago constructed a Web site — messagetoal.com — that, along with record-low attendance, makes clear the widespread disgust with the steady decline of the franchise. Asking Davis to sell, however, sends a message too easily dismissed.

It is entirely coincidental that this billboard went up two days after it was reported, for the second time since January, that Davis is trying to sell a portion of the Raiders. If Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer is right — and everything I’ve heard indicates he is — at least 10 percent of the franchise is very available. Davis owns by far the largest percentage of the team.

While there are numerous wealthy shoppers gazing at that Silver-and-Black slice of the NFL’s massive pie, nearly all have no desire to invest heavily in the organization as currently being operated.

There is the hope that former 49ers Steve Young and Brent Jones, who have sniffed around in the past, still might consider lending their names to a group.

More intriguingly, one multimillionaire sports figure who does not wish to be identified has several times over the past 18 months expressed an unwavering curiosity. A longtime fan of the team, he is displeased about its decline and, moreover, says he is in contact with one or more billionaires with a definite interest.

So the desire to buy is there. The money is there. A deal probably could be assembled and presented in a matter of weeks.

The biggest hang-ups, the only hang-ups, are stipulations regarding percentage and control.

The last time Davis sold a portion of the team was in 2007, when he added three minority partners. They are considerably younger than the other partners; they did not, according to the Raiders, receive an option to buy.

They probably wish they had. After the sale was completed, Davis decided to “make it rain” in some of the unlikeliest places, sprinkling gargantuan deals to the likes of Tommy Kelly, Javon Walker, Terdell Sands, DeAngelo Hall and Gibril Wilson _ none of whom has proved a sound investment.

Though it’s unlikely another bucket of gold would lead to similarly irresponsible spending, it’s only reasonable that any new investor would demand some influence.

Just because the NFL is a cash cow doesn’t mean carelessness is acceptable.

The only way new partners could ensure their participation in the decision-making process is if Davis were to relinquish a measure of the control he has had for more than four decades.

Anybody checking the team’s books would find compelling evidence toward that end.

They’d discover Oakland is an NFL-worst 27-80 since losing the Super Bowl after the 2002 season, growing distrust in Davis as a deal-maker and team-builder and, above all, in the language billionaires speak fluently, depreciation of a franchise in a league where depreciation typically does not exist.

After years of rising despite declining performance, the value of the Raiders dropped from an estimated $861 million in 2008 to $797 million in 2009, according to Forbes’ annual report. That figure is the league’s lowest — roughly half that of Dallas and Washington — and others speculate it should be lower.

So moving a piece of this team under the current conditions won’t be as easy as it should be, if it can be done at all.

There is plenty of potential for growth, though, if you bring plenty of money, gain the trust of Al and persuade him to at least share authority. Good luck getting a man with the heart of a gladiator to budge from his favorite seat.

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© 2009, The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA)
Visit them online at: www.insidebayarea.com
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

by Monte Poole
The Oakland Tribune / (MCT)

MCT is a joint venture of McClatchy and the Tribune Co.