NBA Season “At Risk” says Stern

clinic helvetica, sans-serif;”>The National Basketball Association season is “at risk” because of the ongoing pay dispute, according to NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Top National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) negotiators agreed to meet tomorrow to try reach an agreement. The owners’ full labour-relations committee and the union’s complete executive committee, as well as some key NBA players, will be present. The meetings could stretch into the weekend and the regular season is by no means certain to start on the scheduled date of November 1.

NBA Commissioner Stern said: “There are enormous consequences at play here. I’m focussed on let’s get the two committees in and see whether they can either have a season or not have a season. That’s what’s at risk this weekend.”

Meetings to discuss the pay dispute have been taking place throughout the week. Adam Silver, NBA deputy commissioner, said: “Whatever decisions we are now going to be making would be so monumental given the point of the calendar. I guess it’s always progress to the extent that we’re still talking.”