LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Stern says “it’s time to start negotiating” a new collective bargaining agreement and get rid of the rhetoric.
The NBA Commissioner says the league and the players’ association realize the importance of agreeing to a deal before the expiration of the current one on June 30.
Stern held his annual All-Star press conference on Saturday.
He says both sides understand from the work stoppage of 1998 how devastating a lockout could be. He says: “We both have the capacity to shut down the league.”
The sides met Friday and agreed to hold more talks in smaller groups over the next few months.
