Ex-Sonic Gets $488,150

The Seattle SuperSonics are $488,150 lighter now, following an arbitrator’s resolution of a salary dispute with former reserve center Bill Cartwright.

The New York-based arbitrator, Daniel Collins, ruled that the Sonics owe Cartwright half of the $976,300 he was seeking for the 1995-96 season, after retiring as a player on July 5, 1995, and accepting a position as the Sonics’ West Coast basketball consultant.

After the removal of torn cartilage and bone spurs, Orlando Magic center Jon Koncak said his decision on whether to retire will wait until he has consulted with doctors and team officials, and has weighed the likelihood of further injury if he continues to play.

A federal appeals court overturned a lower court ruling that allowed Chicago superstation WGN to broadcast more Bulls games than the NBA wanted.

Now the two sides will have to return to the courtroom to decide the closely watched broadcast rights lawsuit, which had the Bulls joining with WGN, despite the NBA’s objections.