Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
NBA Joins the NFL in Lockout
By Joey Kaufman/Special to LAist
With the NFL on hold, it appears as if pro basketball has followed suit.
The NBA imposed a lockout of its players at 9:01 p.m. PST Thursday following the expiration of the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Both owners’ representatives and union leaders were unable to reach a new labor deal following a three-hour meeting in New York earlier in the day, putting the 2011-2012 season in jeopardy as a result.
"We didn't see any other option," NBA Commissioner David Stern told reporters. “I'm not scared. I'm resigned to the potential damage that it can cause to our league.”
Support for LAist comes from
Both sides are reportedly far apart on nearly every major issue, from player salaries, to the salary cap and to revenue sharing, as they hope to negotiate a new CBA.
Since the previous CBA was ratified in 2005, owners claim they have lost hundreds of millions every season, and according to league officials, 22 of its 30 teams are unprofitable with a combined loss of $300 million last season.
In turn, the owners hope to impose a stronger salary cap, as well as cut the players’ 57 percent share of basketball revenue, as established in the last labor deal.
“They haven’t changed that,” Lakers guard and president of the NBA Players Association Derek Fisher said. “There was nothing new from them in terms of their proposal.”
As a result, all league business is now officially on hold, beginning with the free agency period, which would have begun today, and extending to the NBA's summer league in Las Vegas, which has been canceled.
If found to be in violation of the lockout by contacting players, teams are expected to face fines worth roughly $1 million, according to ESPN’s Ric Bucher. In some instances, punishments might not simply be monetary either.
Additionally, under that lockout agreement, NBA teams' websites, including NBA.com, are prevented from posting images and references to current players. Their names, photos, videos and all other forms of likeness were removed as a result of the labor strife. In their place, fans will see various forms of advertisement.
Support for LAist comes from
This is the NBA’s third work stoppage, and first since the shortened 50-game 1998-1999 season, following a lockout that last 204 days and did not end until Jan. 6, 1999. Most, however, anticipate this one to be even worse, a disappointing sign considering the league’s increase in ratings during the postseason and NBA finals.
"We had a great year in terms of the appreciation of our fans for our game,” Stern said. “It just wasn't a profitable one for the owners, and it wasn't one that many of the smaller market teams particularly enjoyed or felt included in. The goal here has been to make the league profitable and to have a league where all 30 teams can compete."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend. -
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
Best of LAist