RealGM

I read that Celtics and Clippers can't trade players to each other because Clippers paid Celtics compensation for releasing Rivers from his coaching contract. The reason given for this action is the CBA doesn't allow coaches to be offered as compensation in player trades. And, since Celtics and Clippers engaged in a trade for a coach, no player trades can happen without the appearance of salary cap circumvention.

Now, TWC has offered to use its media assets to feature Howard in an effort to build his brand name and enhance his marketability to 3rd parties as an additional financial enticement offered to Howard by the Lakers in a contract negotiation. Since, this offer was made during a contract negotiation it was obviously intended to be a financial incentive for Howard. Therefore, an otherwise acceptable activity should be disallowed to prevent the appearance of salary cap circumvention.

I think you're right. But I've never found the league/Stern to be impartial in the way they enforce their rules.

I live in the Los Angeles area and am well aware of the crap that TWC puts on the air in order to fill its air time 27/7. A weekly feature on the Lakers Girls is just one example. So the question is if TWC airs "The Dwight Howard Show" once a week, but gives Howard no compensation for this show, does this qualify as "outside compensation, investment, business opportunity or anything else of value" which Larry describes as forms of circumvention in his FAQ.

I believe that the league's intention is that financial incentives outside the parameters of the contract itself be tangible in nature. All TWC is offering is increased exposure for Howard which they believe will lead to increased awareness of the Howard "brand". To me this is no different than the Lakers PR department arranging for Howard to appear on the Jay Leno show. While both instances help increase the public's awareness of Dwight Howard's charming off-the-court personality, in neither case is he receiving direct compensation for his participation. That's why I don't feel that the league would feel that this would be a direct financial incentive that would circumvent the rules of the CBA.

It should also be noted that representatives of the Rocket's cable affiliate were present at their presentation to Howard.

Its not July 10th so any deals would be handshake agreement last time I checked the league doesn't review handshake agreements. The Doc Rivers deal was a deal that could be reviewed . These Howard prospective deals can not because they are not official in any way .