Pro Basketballers Threaten Strike; Demand Action Before February 15

National Basketball Association players have threatened to strike unless club owners settle grievances by Feb. 15, the Baltimore News-American reported yesterday.

Oscar Robertson, NBA player representative, submitted the demands for a shorter exhibition season, pay for pre-season games, an improved pension plan, a guarantee that the present 81-game schedule won't be extended, and the right to play out an option in a contract.

Club owners received the demands at the All-Star game in San Francisco, Jan. 10. They are meeting now in New York to discuss another matter, but the Boston Traveler yesterday reported that the owners would also discuss the demands.

The Baltimore paper, quoted an unnamed player as saying the chief complaint was against the NBA television contract. "We've got to do something drastic," the player reportedly said.

NBA players may use the emergence of the new league--the American Basketball Association--for bargaining leverage. The status of the new league is uncertain now, but there have been reports that it will lure away NBA stars.

The Boston Strike

A similar strike nearly took place in Boston several years ago when Tommy Heinsohn of the Celtics was player representative. A game was delayed for 15 minutes while the situation was straightened out.

No Celtic players were available for comment on the present threatened strike, but Lenny Wilkens of the St. Louis Hawks confirmed the report in the Baltimore newspaper yesterday.

If the walkout does take place, it will probably happen during a nationally televised game or during the NBA playoffs.