Updated on
Summary The NBA cancelled first two weeks of regular season due to owners and players conflict.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has cancelled the first two weeks of the regular season after the league owners and players were unable to resolve a bitter labour dispute on Monday.The decision, confirmed by NBA commissioner David Stern, was made after both parties failed to draw up a new collective bargaining agreement in a last-ditch meeting in New York.The season was scheduled to start on Nov. 1 and the abandonment covers all games originally scheduled to be played through to Nov. 14.The league said refunds plus interest were available for all NBA season-ticket holders for all pre-season and regular-season games that were cancelled.Among the games that have gone is the planned opening day that would have pitted the champions, the Dallas Mavericks, at home to the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the L.A. Lakers.Players Association (NBPA) president Derek Fisher, of the Lakers, said the move was not a surprise.NBA owners contend the league lost $300 million last season with 22 of 30 teams in the red. They had wanted the leagues share of basketball-related income increased from 50 to 57 percent, along with a firm salary cap and shorter contracts.The players had offered to reduce their share from 57 to 53 percent. The league has said owners were willing to discuss a 50-50 split.
