Nba, Referees Still Butt Heads

Negotiators for the NBA’s locked-out referees met with league officials, six days before the start of the season, but left feeling discouraged about the progress of negotiations.

The NBA locked out its referees Oct. 1, the day after their contract expired, and hired replacements to officiate exhibition games. If no new contract is agreed on, the two-man replacement crews could be on the court when the season opens Nov. 3.

Veteran official Mike Mathis, one of the negotiators for the referees, said they made their third counterproposal to the league, requesting a 22-percent raise over a three-year contract. The NBA, he said, increased its offer from 6 percent to 6.4 percent for five years.

However, the league has said the refs are requesting close to a 70-percent increase.

Last season, salaries for the NBA’s 54 refs ranged from $68,000 to $177,000.

Scotty Thurman who helped Arkansas to the NCAA basketball championship two years ago, was waived by the New Jersey Nets.