Stern confident there will be no lockout in 2011

[King Taharqa]

MILAN (AP)—NBA commissioner David Stern insisted Sunday he hasn’t thought about the effects of a possible lockout next year, and gave new assurances that the league and players’ union remain focused on reaching a new labor agreement.

The sides are divided over the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement that expires June 30, raising fears of a possible lockout.

“We are actually focusing our efforts so entirely on reaching a deal that we haven’t gone into a risk assessment mode for a lockout, because we are trying as hard as we can to reach an agreement with our players,” Stern said. “We have been talking for a long time. I think that the atmosphere is cordial and open. We have provided the players with as much access as have ever been given to financial records, which is complete audited reports (and) tax returns. Although I can’t say we have made great progress, both sides are committed to meetings and talking.”

Stern was speaking at a news conference ahead of the exhibition game between the New York Knicks and Italian team Olimpia Milano.

“We met last week and I’d say we will be meeting several times in the fall and we remain optimistic that with the energy on both sides we will be able to do it and reach an agreement on both sides,” Stern said

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=At9AI7sBtXrrmDhMciW5xkO8vLYF?slug=ap-nbaineurope-stern

[Zaximus]

Good news. If the NFL locks out, it would be a prime opportunity for the NBA to ****** some new fans, being the only pro sports on at the time (well besides hockey, etc).