MIAMI -- The NBA and its players have agreed to keep the most lucrative era in league history rolling. Wholesale Jerseys USA Free Shipping .The sides agreed Wednesday in principle on a new collective bargaining agreement, one that could last up to seven years and needs now only to be ratified by players and owners in the coming weeks. The deal was struck a day before the sides faced a deadline for opting out of the current deal.If approved by votes of players and owners -- likely to be formalities -- there will be no lockout next summer and no labor issues for years to come.Its amazing. Im excited, union president Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers said. Im happy for our fans, the owners involved. Its a great thing.Three people briefed on the terms said the deal extends for seven seasons, with an opt-out possible after six. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither side was releasing exact details.If the deal is ratified, the season will start a week earlier, preseason games would be capped at six and one of the most dreaded elements of the schedule -- the four-game-in-five-day stretches -- may be eliminated.Other details of the new proposed CBA include increases in values of rookie-scale contracts, minimum salaries and exceptions, with a 45 percent increase in minimum salaries across the board in the first year of the new agreement. The rookie deals will be proportionate to the salary cap, either rising or falling as that does. The average player salary is expected to hit $8.5 million next season and rise to $10 million by 2020-21 under the new terms.Its fair. Its fair, said Miami Heat guard Wayne Ellington, his teams player rep to the union. Thats all we were asking for.The deadline for opting out has now been extended to Jan. 13, with the NBA saying thats in order to give both sides enough time to review the terms of the agreement and vote to ratify.Thats the second-best news of the night, Wizards coach Scott Brooks joked when asked about the CBA right after Washingtons victory over Charlotte.Two-way contracts between the NBA and the D-League will be in play for the first time, which would figure to enhance player development. And contracts would be able to be extended for five, or in some cases, six years. That will give teams more leverage to keep homegrown players on their rosters, a priority for owners after Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City for Golden State this summer.Neither NBA Commissioner Adam Silver nor NBPA executive director Michele Roberts spoke publicly after the tentative deal was announced. Some players reacted quickly on social media, including Golden States Draymond Green -- who said one day we will get it right.... maybe.But most players who spoke Wednesday seemed thrilled.It just shows you how big the NBA, how popular the NBA is, that it cant afford a lockout, Toronto guard DeMar DeRozan said. People love the game too much. Its great.News broke of the tentative agreement just as Wednesdays games were starting. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra heard the news after a victory over the Pacers and said he felt a sense of relief.Were all very fortunate to be in this profession, Spoelstra said.Talks have gone on for months, and unlike those surrounding the most recent deal between the league and its players, these were mostly amicable. Most of the major issues -- such as keeping the split of basketball-related income the same as it is in the existing deal -- were agreed upon weeks ago.One element that held up the talks late in the process was a group licensing agreement. Among the four major U.S. pro sports leagues, the NBA was the only league that controlled its players marketing rights for sponsorships and media. Going forward, the players will now control their marketing rights.Included in the more-than-400-page document is a proposed program that addresses domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Players and their families will be provided with education, training and counseling and players facing allegations will be subject to a new investigation, discipline and appeals process.Another issue addressed in these negotiations was a deal where the league would help fund programs to help retired players with medical expenses. That will kick in Jan. 1, even before this deal is likely ratified.I think everyone negotiated in good faith, Paul said. The conversations were great, everything was cordial. Everyone knows how well the game is going and didnt want to mess that up.NBA officials and players expressed optimism throughout the process, pointing to the leagues skyrocketing revenue and salaries -- thanks to a massive new television deal -- and rising TV ratings.It ensures a labor stoppage will be avoided, unlike the last negotiation before the 2011-12 in which the owners locked out the players for 161 games, resulting in a shortened season and plenty of frustration.For me, this is a relief, Heat guard Goran Dragic said. I want to play basketball. I didnt want to sit home.---Krawczynski contributed from Minneapolis. AP Sports Writers Howard Fendrich in Washington and Dan Gelston in Philadelphia and Associated Press Writers Terence Harris in Orlando, Florida, and Raul Dominguez in San Antonio also contributed to this report. Wholesale Cheap Jerseys . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Wholesale Jerseys USA . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. http://www.wholesalejerseysyear.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. LOS ANGELES -- The Rams are 4-7 in their first season back in Los Angeles, and now they seemingly have alienated one of the franchises most popular players.Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson, a star when the team last played on the West Coast, said Monday in a phone conversation with ESPN that Rams coach Jeff Fisher basically told Dickerson he didnt want him on the sideline during games because some of his public comments have made players uncomfortable.According to Dickerson, Fisher later backtracked in that conversation after Dickerson defended his right to speak out, but Dickerson said he vowed to Fisher that he would never go to a Rams game as long as Fisher is the teams coach.I wont be at the Coliseum as long as Fisher is coaching, Dickerson reiterated Monday. Im a man of my word, and if I tell you something, Im going to do it.Dickerson said on AM 570 in L.A. earlier Monday that someone from upper management told him he was not welcome on the sideline. That prompted Rams COO Kevin Demoff to go on the defensive. He tweeted his support of Dickerson and later told ESPN that he didnt know where the message came from, adding: Hes always welcome at practice. Hes always welcome at games. Theres never been any message to the contrary.Later, in his scheduled briefing with the media, Fisher was asked about Dickersons not being allowed on the sideline and said, I dont know where thats coming from. Fisher then touched on a really good conversation he had with Dickerson last week and added: Id welcome him in the building. Id love to have him come in. Id love to have him come to practice. Id love to have him come in the meetings.That prompted Dickerson to reveal that it was Fisher who made the call, doing so first in a conversation with Fox Sports Radio.He said it took place a couple of Thursdays ago, and he was expecting it. At the Rams groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 17 in Inglewood, California, Dickerson said he asked for sideline passes for a few friends and was told the organization feels a little uncomfortable about his recent criticism of the team. Dickerson was told to expect a call from Demoff or general manager Les Snead.Then Fisher called. They spoke for about a half-hour, Dickerson said.According to Dickerson, Fisher said the following: Players feel uncomfortable with you coming on the sidelines, some of the stuff you said about the team, about coaches and the players. And as long as Im head coach, were not going to have that. Youre not going to be saying stuff. Youre not going to be coming to the sidelines as long as Im head coach here.Dickerson said he let Fisher finish before telling him, You think Ive been waiting on the Rams to come back to town? Thats not me. People who know me know, Im not here with my hand out. Do you feel like I owe yall something? Send me a bill.Dickerson said that after Fisher tried to interrupt him, he told the Rams coach, You can go anyplace else. You can go back to Tennessee, you can go to Cleveland, you can go to SC. Still, Im going to be Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams. Thats why I wear that gold jacket. I have the right to say what I say. Im not trying to hurt the players. ... Im a frustrrated player and a frustrated fan. NFL Wholesale Cheap Jerseys. I watch this every week. I love the players. Im always a player first.When Fisher backtracked and said Dickerson would be welcomed back on the sideline, Dickerson said he told the coach, You dont ever have to worry about me coming to football games ever again. I like coming to games basically because of the fans -- not because of the football games.Dickerson, 56, played for the Rams from 1983 to 1987 and rushed for 7,245 yards in 65 games. He felt wronged when the Rams traded him to the Indianapolis Colts midway through the 1987 season, but he remained a fan of the organization upon retirement. Dickerson hosted the rookies at his house over the offseason, was part of the broadcast team during the preseason and attended the groundbreaking ceremony along with a handful of other luminaries.But he hasnt minced words about the Rams shortcomings. Dickerson has harshly criticized the offensive line, talked openly about how boring the offense can be and even questioned the credentials of quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke, who he doesnt believe has earned the right to coach a No. 1 overall pick in Jared Goff.Demoff called Dickerson on Monday to try to set the record straight, but Dickerson was at a barbecue and didnt answer. He said he would call him back on Tuesday.When you lose football games, people are going to be outspoken, Demoff said. I think we all understand that, and I think everybody believes that Erics entitled to his opinion, as a former player, as a Hall of Famer and somebody whos been part of our family. Certainly, youre going to listen to what he has to say. But I think were all frustrated and disappointed, and I just think Erics viewpoints on his show is that. And he has every right to express himself. I dont think we would ever attempt to silence him or warn him to feel as if he doesnt have that platform.Dickerson stressed that he will remain a fan of the Rams, but it probably wont ever be the same. He said he doesnt feel welcomed by the organization, regardless of what Demoff and Fisher stated publicly. Dickerson believes Demoff and Fisher praised him publicly only because they got caught with their pants down.This didnt come from the players, Dickerson said. You think the players care about when I come on the field? You think theyre worried about that? Hell no. The players aint worried about that. This comes from upper management. This comes from Kevin Demoff and Jeff Fisher. Thats where this comes from.Dickerson makes his home in Southern California. He is a crucial part of the organizations reconnecting with the fan base it left behind more than 20 years ago. But now he will settle into the background, at least while Fisher -- with an expiring contract -- is employed.Dickerson was asked if he is hurt by all this.Of course it hurts, he said. Of course it hurts. It reminds me of the old regime of the Rams. Its the old regime all over again. Its not about the players. Its about what they want to do. Its not about winning. For me, its all about winning. Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys AuthenticWholesale Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Cheap JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
