NBA Cancels Games Through November 30

Posted October 28th, 2011 at 7:50 pm (UTC-5)
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The commissioner of the National Basketball Association has canceled all NBA games through November 30 in an ongoing dispute between players and club owners over revenues.

Commissioner David Stern took action Friday after labor negotiations between players and club owners broke off without a deal to end a nearly four-month-old lockout. Stern also said it is not practical, possible or prudent to have a full season now. The regular season was to have begun November 1. No further talks are scheduled at this time.

The dispute centers on basketball-related income, with owners wanting a 50-50 split of revenues, while players want 52.5 percent. In a previous collective bargaining agreement, players were guaranteed 57 percent.

Owners have said the NBA lost $300 million last year, with just eight of its 30 franchises making a profit. They want to impose a strict salary cap on the players as well as curtail guaranteed contracts and cut the players' guaranteed share of the league's annual revenue.

Under the lockout, players cannot train at the team's facilities or work with the team's coaches. Franchises are also barred from making trades or negotiating contracts with rookies and free agents. Observers have said the current labor dispute could cost the NBA the entire 2011-2012 season.