tezzyboi2011
Banned
- Feb 26, 2011
- 92
- 10
Union chief Billy Hunter says owners are locking out players after failing to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, potentially putting the 2011-12 season in jeopardy.
Despite a three-hour meeting Thursday, the sides could not close the enormous gap that remained in their positions. The CBA was due to expire at midnight.
All league business is officially on hold, starting with the free agency period that would have opened Friday, and games eventually could be lost, too. The last lockout reduced the 1998-99 season to just a 50-game schedule, the only time the NBA missed games for a work stoppage.
Union executive committee member Matt Bonner says "we tried to avoid the lockout; unfortunately we couldn't reach a deal."
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
NEW YORK (AP) — Representatives for NBA players and owners have arrived for a meeting that could determine if there is a lockout.
The sides started their meeting about 12 hours before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.
They remain far apart on nearly every important issue, and owners could lock out the players if a deal is not reached by the end of the day. Or they could extend the deadline if progress has been made.
Both sides, however, indicated last week they may not have any more concessions to make, with players declining to offer a new proposal in the most recent session.
The league hasn't had a work stoppage since the 1998-99 season was reduced to 50 games.
Despite a three-hour meeting Thursday, the sides could not close the enormous gap that remained in their positions. The CBA was due to expire at midnight.
All league business is officially on hold, starting with the free agency period that would have opened Friday, and games eventually could be lost, too. The last lockout reduced the 1998-99 season to just a 50-game schedule, the only time the NBA missed games for a work stoppage.
Union executive committee member Matt Bonner says "we tried to avoid the lockout; unfortunately we couldn't reach a deal."
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
NEW YORK (AP) — Representatives for NBA players and owners have arrived for a meeting that could determine if there is a lockout.
The sides started their meeting about 12 hours before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.
They remain far apart on nearly every important issue, and owners could lock out the players if a deal is not reached by the end of the day. Or they could extend the deadline if progress has been made.
Both sides, however, indicated last week they may not have any more concessions to make, with players declining to offer a new proposal in the most recent session.
The league hasn't had a work stoppage since the 1998-99 season was reduced to 50 games.
