You can't open the business section without finding a story involving a bailout.  Now this concept has leaped into the sports pages with the recent announcement that the NBA will be extending a lifeline to select NBA franchises through a newly established 200 million dollar line of credit.

It is expected that as many as 12 teams will access these funds to the tune of thirteen to twenty million dollars each.  At present there is no knowledge of any restrictions that come with these dollars and no teams have been identified by the league office as recipients.

Commissioner David Stern is refusing acknowledge to term these funds as bailouts.  Instead he is choosing to use the availability of these funds as a positive sign of the credit worthiness of the NBA.

Speculation is rampant as to what teams will take advantage of this opportunity.  Sacramento has gone on record as a willing recipient but others teams which might be struggling have not been so forthcoming.  

While other minor leagues have shuttered operations during these harsh economic times the NBA is the first to extend extra credit to teams.  It will be interesting to see if this emerges as a trend.

  OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

• BREAKING: Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden Resigns. "I have done nothing wrong"- The Biz of Baseball
• Injury Update: Johan Santana Will Be Examined on Monday - The Biz of Baseball
• Elbow Ligament Reconstruction Appears Not to Affect Future Pro Advancement in Baseball - The Biz of Baseball
• Royals Land Reliever Cruz - The Biz of Baseball
• The Goverment's Persecution of Barry Lamar Bonds - The Biz of Baseball
• Site Update: End of Year MLB Player Payroll (2002-2008) - The Biz of Baseball
• Injury Update: Santana, Bonderman Out Longer Than Originally Reported - The Biz of Baseball
• Lincecum to Grace Cover of ESPN the Magazine's MLB Fantasy Preview Issue - The Biz of Baseball
• Transaction Round-Up: Lincecum, Mientkiewicz Reach Deals - The Biz of Baseball
• Death of a Newspaper: The Rocky Mountain News Folds. Ringolsby Reflects - The Biz of Baseball
• Yankees, Bank of America Break Off Sponsorship Talks - The Biz of Baseball
• The Business of Sports Network Enters New Phase - The Biz of Hockey
• Panel Studying Concussions Recommends Ban on all Fighting in Hockey - The Biz of Hockey
• Is the Glass Half Empty or Full for the NHL? - The Biz of Hockey
• BREAKING: Chiefs Set to Acquire Cassel - The Biz of Football
• Haynesworth Signs Historic Deal with Redskins - The Biz of Football
• Bucs Acquire Kelen Winslow for Draft Picks - The Biz of Football
• NFL Salary Cap to Increase to $127 Million for 2009 - The Biz of Football
• Commissioner Roger Goodell Takes 20 Percent Pay Cut - The Biz of Football