NY, NY, United States (AHN) - National Basketball Players Association executive Billy Hunter made a bold statement Tuesday, saying a lockout looks inevitable next season.
Hunter, 67, virtually guaranteed a work stoppage in 2011 unless NBA owners and officials change their stance on several labor issues, including player’s salaries and benefits.
“I’d be 99 percent sure as of today that there will be a lockout, Hunter told New York Times Monday.
Hunter stated he already advised players to start saving money in case a work stoppage happens next year.
Hunter, 67, virtually guaranteed a work stoppage in 2011 unless NBA owners and officials change their stance on several labor issues, including player’s salaries and benefits.
“I’d be 99 percent sure as of today that there will be a lockout, Hunter told New York Times Monday.
Hunter stated he already advised players to start saving money in case a work stoppage happens next year.
The ongoing labor talks between union and league officials have not been making significant progress in recent months due to contrasting ideas of both sides.
One of which was the proposal of NBA commissioner David Stern to reduce player's salaries and benefits by around 40 percent.
NBA owners also pushed for the implementation of shorter contracts, hard salary caps, less guaranteed contracts, and smaller annual raises.
However, the players are apparently not on the same page with the owners, as they demand a better proposal that would not compromise their salaries in coming seasons.
Hunter said the union and the league should settle their differences by February (in time for the All-Star break) to avert a looming lockout.
Hunter added the union allocated $175 million fund to assists players who will be heavily affected by the stoppage.
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