New York (AP) - The hosting of the upcoming NBA season is in the stars. The North American basketball league and the players union NBPA were also at their last meeting on 30June in New York can not agree on a new collective agreement.
Thus the first NBA lockout in 13 years is perfect. The professionals at superstar Dirk Nowitzki will be locked out of their clubs on Friday and get to stop paying wages. Any contact between the players and their clubs is prohibited, since the current collective bargaining agreement since 2005, expires at midnight. However, both sides agreed to meet again NBPA-data "in the near future."
After months of talks, players and club owners were also in their last three-hour meeting is not significantly closer. "The trench was too deep," said NBPA president Billy Hunter. "We have tried to avoid a lockout. Unfortunately we have reached a deal to get, "NBPA Vice-President Matt Bonner said.
What the burst agreement for Nowitzki and Co. will actually mean to show the next few weeks. The conclusion of a new treaty is still possible. The training camps begin in early September, the league start is scheduled for mid-October. Until then, both sides can but still some. First, however, lies the whole NBA-operation.
If the league and players' union at a later date not agree on a new deal, next season could be shortened, at worst, fail completely.After the last lockout 13 years ago there were only 50 of the 82 games scheduled. The TV ratings declined at that time in the cellar, the proceeds went back rapidly from the merchandising.
When it actually comes to a longer break, Nowitzki and Co. would have to look for alternatives. "At my age I can not sit around a year and then start playing again," Nowitzki had already been told in advance. In the Bundesliga champions had already Brose Baskets Bamberg, ALBA Berlin and Bayern Munich interested in the newly crowned NBA champion expressed.
"This is still far away. I hope that there is an agreement, "the 33-year-old had said on Tuesday during his triumphant reception in Würzburg. Especially since the legal question of whether a move to Germany or another country is even possible, is still unclear.
In the dispute over a new collective agreement, it's about, especially money. According to league figures 22 teams in the just-ended season have made losses. Total estimated the NBA's annual deficit to about $ 300 million (208 million euros), the NBPA doubted those numbers. The league hopes to save in salaries of the players around 700 to 800 million dollars, which reject the pros. They had recently offered to waive $ 500 million over the next five years - this was the club bosses too little.
