Silver says NBA labor deal not done yet, but getting close

Silver said Friday the league and players have made "tremendous progress" toward an extension of the collective bargaining agreement, saying he hoped a deal would be completed soon.

The sides aren't fighting over money this time, not after the national TV deals worth more than $2.6 billion annually sent revenues soaring and the salary cap skyrocketing.

Silver credited union executive director Michele Roberts for the more cordial tone of these talks and noted the role on the negotiating committee of Hall of Fame player Michael Jordan, now owner of the Charlotte Hornets.

For players to see him in that position, it doesn't mean if Michael says it, it necessarily means that they should accept it as the position they should take," Silver said, "but I think that's really added a special element unique to this league to have a superstar player like that owning a team now.

Silver didn't want to comment on specifics of the deal since it had not been completed, though it's expected to include new league-funded programs to help retired players with education and medical expenses, and an increase in the rookie salary scale.