SACRAMENTO, CA, June 30, 2011 -- The National Basketball Association announced
that it will commence a lockout of its players, effective at 12:01 am ET on
July 1, until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached with the
National Basketball Players Association.
“The expiring collective bargaining agreement created a broken system that
produced huge financial losses for our teams,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner
Adam Silver. “We need a sustainable business model that allows all 30 teams
to be able to compete for a championship, fairly compensates our players,
and provides teams, if well-managed, with an opportunity to be profitable.”
“We have made several proposals to the union, including a deal targeting $2
billion annually as the players' share -- an average of approximately $5
million per player that could increase along with league revenue growth,”
said Silver. “Elements of our proposal would also better align players’ pay
with performance.”
“We will continue to make every effort to reach a new agreement that is
fair and in the best interests of our teams, our players, our fans, and our
game.”
During the lockout, players will not receive their salaries; teams will not
negotiate, sign or trade player contracts; players will not be able to use
team facilities for any purpose; and teams will not conduct or facilitate
any summer camps, exhibitions, practices, workouts, coaching sessions, or
team meetings.