The NBA Players Association met in New York Monday to discuss the latest offer from the owners and determine whether it satisfies enough of their demands to put an end to the lockout. But no deal was met as the players union turned down the owners final offer AND voted to disband the union.
This essentially says the union has no interest in representing the players any more. It’s the first step in anti-trust lawsuits that will be filed by players as this process moves into the courts.
So basically, there is little chance of any NBA season right now! DAMN!
“We’ve arrived at the conclusion that the collective bargaining process has completely broken down, and as a result in the last hour we have served a notice of disclaimer on (David) Stern and the NBA,” union director Billy Hunter said after the meeting. “We plan to disseminate that to all 30 teams…
“The players are not ready to accept the ultimatium, they thought it was completely unfair on the part of the NBA ownership and management….We have negotiated in good faith for two years, but the players have felt they have given enough.”
“This is where it stops for us as a union,” said Derek Fisher, union president.
That announcement came after about a four-hour meeting where the players were looking a take-it-or-leave-it offer from the league.
Representatives from all 30 teams attended along with other interested players. The offer proposed a shortened 72-game schedule beginning December 15, or take it to a vote and turn it down altogether.
Commissioner David Stern has said if the current offer is rejected the owners would come back with an even harsher one.
“We’re not going to cancel the season this week, we’re just going to present to them what we told them we would.”
But in order for the NBA to have a 72-game season, Stern said the two sides would likely have to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement within the next week.
