Statement from US Mayors Calling on National Basketball Association and the NBA Players Union to End the Labor Dispute

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, The U.S. Conference of Mayors issued an open letter to the National Basketball Association and the NBA Players Union, asking them to consider the consequences to cities if a lockout continues under debate created by the new collective bargaining agreement.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110125/MM36443LOGO)

Under the leadership of Indianapolis Mayor Gregory A. Ballard, the Conference of Mayors is exploring the feasibility of creating the Alliance for Professional Sports Cities, a sports alliance that would provide a resource for cities to exchange information on ways to better work with and coordinate with the major sports leagues.

Below are statements issued by leading mayors:

"Much of the discussion about the current NBA labor situation has centered on the owners, players and fans," said Indianapolis Mayor Gregory A. Ballard.  "However, the NBA lockout is also affecting the livelihood of restaurant owners, wait staff, parking attendants and others in our cities and we believe their voices should be heard as well."

"This letter isn't about taking sides in the NBA's labor negotiations," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.  "It's about speaking up for our cities, our residents and our small businesses whose financial health is tied to the NBA season and asking for the league and the players union to work toward finding a compromise that allows basketball season to begin."

"As both a Mayor and former player, I have great appreciation for the NBA's economic and civic impact on communities across the country," said Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. "Sacramento joins other cities in the NBA fraternity in urging for a compromise that puts fans back in the stands and the thousands who depend on the NBA back to work."

To view the open letter and list of supporting mayors, visit: http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/20111013-letter-nba.pdf.

SOURCE The U.S. Conference of Mayors

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED