Thomas May Coach Pacers

N E W  Y O R K, Oct. 3 -- The NBA’s approval for Isiah Thomas to coach theIndiana Pacers while he attempts to sell his interest in theContinental Basketball Association is not open-ended.

Thomas was granted an extension through the Pacers’ season. Theissue will be revisited sometime between the end of Indiana’sseason and the start of the 2001-02 campaign to see what progresshas been made.

The approval Monday by the league’s Board of Governors, theNBA’s 29 team owners, was based on assurances from Thomas and thePacers that Thomas would have no involvement with the CBA.

“Although Isiah’s new position as an NBA head coach, whilecontinuing to own a minor league, is a conflict of interest underleague rules, we thought it appropriate to grant him a furtherperiod to conclude his efforts to sell the league,” NBA deputycommissioner Russ Granik said Monday.

NBA rules prohibit coaches from having financial interest inanother league. A 75 percent majority of the team owners was neededto approve the extension while a transaction is being completed.

Thomas’ hiring by the Pacers was delayed by his attempt to sellthe CBA, a developmental league that he purchased for $10 millionlast October.