By Bill Nichols

Another new era began yesterday for the Cavaliers as part-owner Gordon Gund announced the signing of Coach Tom Nissalke to a long-term contract and issued a State of the Cavs message.

Gordon and George Gund have owned the Cavs one week and a lot has happened since taking over the team from Ted Stepien.

Nissalke signed a contract to coach the National Basketball Association team at least two more years, and probably three.

All Gund would say is that the contract is longer than one year.  The money was not discussed.

"I'm thrilled to death to be back coaching," said Nissalke, 49.  "Last year I signed for one year and now I'm back again.  It's a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it."

"We are all in concert," said Gund.  "It's our plan to build a sound, competitive club.  We want to adopt winning ways.  The future here is unlimited.  We have the best building and a media who wants us to do well."

In other matters at the media conference at the Coliseum:

• Four new members -- the Gunds, lawyer Richard T. Watson and Coliseum President John Graham -- were named to the Cavs' Board of Directors.
• Graham also was named president of the Cavaliers and chief executive officer of Nationwide Advertising Service Inc., which also was purchased by the Gunds.
• The Cavaliers will have a new logo and uniform color combination (rather than wine and gold) next season.
• General Manger Harry Weltman will run the operation the same.                      .
• Ticket prices will remain the same.

"We are going to try to meet our long-term objectives.  We will not sigh a free agent with just a year or so left for the short-term results.  That would hurt our long-term plan.

The Gunds want to sign free agent World B. Free, but not a price which will hurt the club.

Gund spoke about stability, which has been lacking in the past, and talked about his unsuccessful bid to purchase the Indiana Pacers and merge that team with the Cavs.  Another brother team, Melvin and Herbert Simon of Indianapolis, bought the club.

"This is a business for us and we intend to approach it that way," said Gund.

On the Sports Exchange a cable television venture started by Stepien, Weltman indicated it was defunct.  Weltman had been in charge of the venture under Stepien.

Watson, however, said he expects a new cable venture including games of the Cavaliers and baseball Indians, to replace Stepien's station.  He said he didn't expect the matter to land in court again.

"We have had discussions (with the Indians), and we anticipate further constructive discussions," Watson said.  Sports Exchange formerly TEN-TV, had contracts with the Indians and soccer's Force, both of which sued to collect money owed.