lockout | GWOP MAGAZINE

NBA Commissioner David Stern and Former Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association Billy Hunter speak to members of the press to announce a tentative labor agreement to end the 149-day lockout.

NBA owners and players have reached a tentative deal to end the 149 day lockout and open a 66 game season on Christmas Day.

NBA commissioner David Stern emerged from a 15-hour meeting between the parties last night to say they had reached a ”tentative understanding that is subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations. We’re optimistic that will all come to pass and that the NBA season will begin December 25.”

Any agreement must still be ratified by both NBA owners and players, with a majority needed on each side. The ratification process for the players is complicated by the fact that they disbanded their union on November 14 and launched an anti-trust lawsuit against the league in Minnesota. They must drop the lawsuit and reform the union in order to vote on the deal.