Sources: NBA, union renew talks on in-season tourney

There is "renewed momentum" for the creation of a future in-season NBA tournament among the league's 30 teams, according to sources cited by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. Sources said that the NBA and NBPA "have been discussing elements of the tournament, which could become part of the calendar" as soon as the '22-23 or '23-24 season. Sources said that the tournament would begin with "pool play as part of the regular-season schedule prior to teams with the best records advancing to an eight-team, single-elimination tournament that would culminate prior to Christmas." The proposal "would shorten the regular season from 82 to 78 games." Sources also said that the sides "have discussed a purse of $1 million per player for the winning team," and the players "could see more financial and competitive incentives before an agreement on the format." The NBA has been "motivated with the prospects of lucrative television and sponsorship revenue that it is hopeful would deliver long-term financial growth." Sources said that the union "has been talking broadly with players on the idea in team meetings, and those conversations are expected to become more serious" during the NBPA's February winter meetings during All-Star weekend in Cleveland. Sources said that previously, there has been "some apprehensiveness over the idea among big-market owners -- especially those who generate larger home-game revenue streams" (ESPN.com, 12/25).