N.B.A. Cancels First Two Weeks of Season

[Dennis Donovan]

Source: NYT/AP

NEW YORK (AP) — NBA Commissioner David Stern canceled the first two weeks of the season Monday after owners and players were unable to reach a new labor deal and end the lockout.

Top negotiators for both sides met for more than seven hours Monday, returning to bargaining about 14 hours after ending talks Sunday night.

Stern said both sides are "very far apart on virtually all issues. ... We just have a gulf that separates us."

The cancellation includes all games scheduled to be played through Nov. 14.

"Despite extensive efforts, we have not been able to reach a new agreement with the players' union that allows all 30 teams to be able to compete for a championship while fairly compensating our players," NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
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Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/10/10/sports/basketball/AP-BKN-NBA-Labor.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto

[blueclown]

1. This stinks.

It will be a long winter with no NBA season. Not a big fan of the NFL.

[ChandlerJr]

2. Why don't the players just start their own league?

They are the product and the sole reason for the business to exist. Tell the "owners" to pound sand, we don't need you.

[brooklynite]

4. Hey Gang, Let's Put On a Show!

As badly as Capitalists sometimes come under criticism here, unless the Players own, or can raise the money to lease Stadiums, training facilities, trainers, etc., they need to cooperate with someone who has the cash on hand to do so.

[KamaAina]

28. That's not as farfetched as you make it sound

Players like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are worth enough that they are basically corporations unto themselves.

[blueclown]

3. Also, keep in mind the effect this will have on unemployment.

We have 30 empty stadiums, each have thousands of workers who will not earn a paycheck until the lockout is resolved.

This is terrible news for everyone involved.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. +1

This pretty much sucks for everyone, employees, the TV networks who won't have advertising revenue from the games which will also affect their employees, and the fans. :(

[iandhr]

10. Not just the stadium workers...

the ripple effect are much larger. Fist there the employees of the teams offices. Then there are the broadcasters for the team both TV and radio. Then the are the newspapers writers who are assigned to the teams. Then there are the sports bars around the area's who owners depend on basketball business. There probably more but I can not think of them.

[boppers]

11. Oh yes, the 99% might not get their crumbs.

Because the 1% are arguing over their "earned" millions.

Where have I seen that before? Hm, let me think...

[alp227]

13. right on, i was about to say that NBAPA=the 1%

especially overpaid incompetent bums like Lebron James

[iandhr]

21. agreed

this is rich people arguing with even richer people about money.

[alp227]

22. and many NBA players grew up poor or middle class!

considering how basketball is popular in inner-city communities, it's rather sickening how many of the players forget their roots in the lower hinges of the 99%.

[LanternWaste]

33. I imagine there's a precise and relevant earned-income cut-off point

I imagine there's a precise and relevant earned-income cut-off point in which we do not care, help, assist or support union workers, yes?

What is that number, and from what objective foundation is that number derived?

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Years ago, when I worked with CBS, tons of people at the network got laid off

When the World Series was over in four games. They weren't counting on the loss of the ad revenue that more games would have provided. The ripples of this spread pretty far... :(

[Romulox]

27. Where oh where will a few hundred minimum wage jobs per city be made up?

:silly:

[ellisonz]

5. Not good news.

[totodeinhere]

6. It wouldn't surprise me if they lose the entire season. n/t

[jerseyjack]

7. Who really gives a $hit?

Yes, the hot dog venders and so forth will lose income and that is regretable. But as for a season of basketball, well, again, who gives....

[blueclown]

8. You obviously do give a shit.

Because you posted in this thread.

If not, then why are you here?

[jerseyjack]

19. Was it DeNero in Bronx Tale ?

His character was a Yankee fan. "Listen, kid. If your father loses is job driving the bus, is Micky Mantle going to come to your house and put a loaf of bread on the table?"

The last professional game I attended was the World Series between Yankees and Dodgers in Yankee Stadium. In the 1980's. There was a hot dog and mustard fight in the stands. Guys were standing up and pissing in the stands. There were no fights because there were very few Dodger fans in attendance. I did see Joe DiMaggio that night.

[shanti]

34. excuse me

but there ARE some basketball fans here who will miss no basketball season. i hate baseball and football, so basically, we're SOL.

[OVERPAID01]

12. Greed, all about Greed

I don't lose any sleep when the major sports leagues can't get their act together during the off season. Millionaires fighting with billionaires over how much they each "deserve". End result, ridiculously over priced tickets will need to be raised even higher to cover the new (and temporary) agreement. The fan is the one that gets boxed out, haven't been to a major sports event in nearly ten years, decent tickets costs hundreds of dollars per pair.

[SoapBox]

14. The entire thing has become a joke...

I just started watching a few years ago.

Good thing I was not addicted.

And all this just in time to NOT watch the Lakers...especially after BigMan Buss, signed the mega deal with Comcast, which call for NO - FREE - GAME - WATCHING...that is, no more games broadcast on local LA channels. You want to watch...you is gonna pay!

Suck on this, Buss...and enjoy you new "king's clothes".

[Supersedeas]

20. You may have better luck watching Kobe play in Italy

[rsmith6621]

16. Sorry I Could Care Less About Pro Sports.....

I cant afford to go to a game much less pay for parking. I am tired of millionaires bitching about the millions they make or the working conditions.

Do you think that any of the players will come out and march any OCCUPY events.

[Rhiannon12866]

17. Maybe not, but the guys who sell tickets and programs and polish the floor after the game might.

:(

[callous taoboy]

18. Why can't teachers nationwide do this? Why always the rich assholes?

[Ishoutandscream2]

23. Gives more time for the WORLD CHAMPION DALLAS MAVS

to get some rest. Ya'll remember, the champs, from DU's favorite state and city

DALLAS, TEXAS.

[Blue_Tires]

24. Just as well...The season doesn't officially start until the playoffs, anyway

[musiclawyer]

25. I find Basketball incredibly boring

although I played as a kid. Once I figured out hockey and soccer, that was it. That being said, this lockout hurts the 99% who work around the team and the arenas. Get it together NBA/Players. If 5he season is cancelled it will not come back nearly as quickly as baseball after it went on hiatus.

[KamaAina]

29. It'll be more like hockey

which really didn't get it back together until about two years ago. :scared:

[Romulox]

26. The modern NBA game is terrible. The LeBrons are emblematic of all that's wrong with the game.

:shrug:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

30. "...David Stern canceled the first two weeks of the season ..."

An ancient ritual thought to have been originally derived by a rapping-on-the-knuckles from a nun.


Fuck Dave Stern!

[Romulox]

31. Doubt David Stern ever had any run ins with any nuns.

Just sayin'! :wow:

[snooper2]

32. This is actually a good thing, will give them time to make the court bigger

And raise that damn net!!!

Every year the players get taller and taller but noooooooo, they never raise the fucking net. In a couple years players will just be dropping the ball in a hole :rofl: