reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract

NEW YORK -- The NBA is making tremendous progress toward avoiding any possibility of a work stoppage -- with an assist from Michael Jordan.While Adam Silver cautioned that a deal is not done-done yet, the commissioner optimistically reported that the NBA and the Players Association are closing in on an extension for the collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA expires in June 2021 but both sides have until Dec. 15 to opt out in 2017.That sounds as if it wont be necessary, in part due to the cooperation between Silver and NBA Players Association executive director Michele Roberts, with help from Jordans clutch touch -- this time as owner of the Charlotte Hornets.Let me just single out one owner in particular, Michael Jordan, Silver said during his upbeat update on CBA negotiations this week following the Board of Governors meetings in Manhattan.I think having Michael Jordan as part of our negotiating committee, the unique perspective he brings to the bargaining table because of his playing career, having been, of course, a superstar player. Now for players to see him in that position, it doesnt mean that if Michael says it, it necessarily means that they accept that as the position they should take. But I think thats really added a special element unique to this league.As a player, Jordan once famously snapped at former Washington Wizards?owner Abe Pollin during a 1998-99 labor meeting between players and owners when talks were contentious.Now as an owner, Jordans influence on the players is positive for the NBA, according to Silver.I think [Jordans presence], that added an enormous amount to the atmosphere in the room, Silver said.Before this current CBA, previous negotiations led to a five-month work stoppage that shortened the 2011-12 season by 16 games. But there is strong incentive for both owners and players to continue the current healthy state of affairs with contracts and TV money at unprecedented levels.We dont want to strike and they dont want to strike, the Knicks Carmelo Anthony, who serves on the unions executive committee, said recently. So the best thing to do is really figure it out sooner rather than later.I think [in the 2011 negotiation] we were so far away from each other, Anthony later added. You can feel the difference, you can see the difference, you can see the reaction, you can see the contact were having, the information thats being sent on both sides. I think were closer to getting something done. Hopefully itll get done soon.Silver credited the players who are most involved with the Players Association, from Chris Paul, president of the union, to LeBron James, Anthony, James Jones and Kyle Korver.But Silver said the tone of negotiations has been better than in the past in large part due to his working relationship thus far with Roberts.Micheles word is we both agreed to be adults in this process, Silver said. ... There hasnt been agreement on everything. I think theres been a healthy back and forth, but I think its begun from a basis of trust. I credit Michele Roberts enormously with coming in with that perspective, with being very professional about how she and her colleagues and the players went about this negotiation.Were on our way toward getting an extension done of this collective bargaining agreement, and Im very pleased to report that, Silver noted. Hopefully we will be back to all of you in the not-too-distant future to say that negotiations have been completed, but were not quite there yet. But I continue to be optimistic. Emanuel King Jersey Store . -- Stanford squashed Oregons national championship hopes again, schooling the Ducks in power football. John Shonk Jersey Store . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/mike-nott-jersey-store/ .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. Cosmo Iacavazzi Jersey Store . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Lew Reeve Jersey Store . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. MADRID -- Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador will miss the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro because of injuries that forced him to abandon the Tour de France.Making it to Rio is practically ruled out, Contador said Tuesday. The question isnt whether I am recovered or not, but rather if I could arrive in prime condition.Contador, a two-time Tour winner, says he hopes to recover in time to compete in the Spanish Vuelta on Aug. 20.With seven Grand Tour titles, Contador is one of the top riders of his generatioon.ddddddddddddot going to the Summer Games is a hard blow, it was my second objective after the Tour, Contador said.The 33-year-old Contador withdrew from the ongoing Tour on Sunday during its ninth stage because of a fever. He had already lost valuable time after falling during the opening two stages of the three-week race.The Olympic road race is scheduled for Aug. 6. ' ' '