Players Reject Owners' Deal, Antitrust Case to be Filed
NEW YORK -- NBA Players Association executive director Billy Hunter says the union will not accept the owners' proposed collective bargaining agreement and will instead seek to disband the union, a move that likely jeopardizes the 2011-12 season.
The union, whose members have been locked out since July 1st, also plans to pursue an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA.
"As of this moment, we're going to be in the process of converting the NBA Players Association into a trade association," Hunter said Monday.
Hunter said the union has negotiated in good faith over two years and feels that they have given enough, while the NBA was "not willing and prepared to negotiate."
"The players feel that they are not prepared to accept any ultimatums," Hunter said.
"Going forward, collective bargaining will not be how this process continues for us," added union president Derek Fisher. "We'll let our legal team really lead the charge."
Looks like things are going to get pretty boring around here.