NBA Players Reject League’s “Best” Offer; Season in Jeopardy

Posted November 14th, 2011 at 4:50 pm (UTC-5)
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The basketball players' union has turned down the National Basketball Association's “best” offer, possibly ending the season before it begins.

National Basketball Players Association executive director Billy Hunter said Monday the collective bargaining process had completely broken down. He said the players intend to dissolve the union and file an anti-trust lawsuit against the NBA.

The deal turned down by the players called for a 50-50 split of basketball-related income between the players' union and NBA and a shortened 72-game season to begin on December 15.

Union president Derek Fisher said said the unanimous decision by all 30 teams to turn down the offer was the best decision for the players.

Some may have viewed NBA Commissioner David Stern's warning that this was the “best” offer as an ultimatum. Stern said any subsequent offers would decrease the players percentage of basketball-related income from 50 to 47-percent and further limit bargaining flexibility.