NBA fans have one more reason to be thankful this week. Reports from Yahoo! Sports and the New York Times have confirmed that settlement talks between the league and what used to be called the National Basketball Players Union have begun. I feel like a kid in some TV movie, hoping desperately that the spirit of nondenominational holiday goodness will stop my divorced parents from squabbling long enough to realize that they really do love each other after all.
It seems a very small group has been meeting since Tuesday, likely with attorney David Boies leading the discussion on the players' behalf. It is not clear who is representing the NBA in these talks; the league has not commented except to say that it is "in favor of a negotiated resolution." The first matter of business may be reaching a settlement in the anti-trust lawsuits filed by the players last week. The settlement could then become the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement.
The next few days will be crucial. NBA commissioner David Stern has repeatedly said that the league needs 30 days after reaching a deal to tip off the 2011-12 season, and parties on both sides would love to save the league's annual high-profile showcase of games on December 25. As of this Friday, there will be 30 shopping days left before Christmas.
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