NBA Lockout: Tracking Latest Developments from NBA Labor Talks
"Tomorrow!" David Stern exclaimed.
Could it be? After months of pretending to be really into street ball, watching Stern threaten to take away Christmas and finding Derrick Rose's puppet show being considered important NBA news, it appears the lockout is coming to a close.
Be sure to check back here for all of your updates on the status of the lockout.
UPDATE: Friday, October 28th, 6:31 p.m. ET
The hopes that the NBA would still play a full season despite the lockout are out the window completely, according to CBS' Ken Berger.
UPDATE: Friday, October 28th, 6:15 p.m. ET
Things have gone from stellar, to bad, to worse. Not only have the two sides not reached an agreement, further cancellations are now topic for discussion, according to CBS' Ken Berger. The two sides could not agree upon the BRI split up and what was thought to be the day this nightmare would end has become another disappointing day with another road block.
UPDATE: Friday, October 28th, 5:02 p.m. ET
The talks have officially fallen through again, according to CBSSports. BRI remains public enemy No. 1 and this setback has taken the wind out of the sails of not only the parties involved in the lockout, but the fans, who were under the impression that a deal today was highly likely.
UPDATE: Friday, October 28th, 4:41 p.m. ET
Say it ain't so. We knew BRI would be an issue, and Chris Broussard Tweet confirms that neither side is budging. Despite both sides entering today very optimistic, they haven't come to an agreement yet. This isn't the end of the world, but it's disappointing news, given the upbeat outlook both sides expressed heading into today.
UPDATE: Friday, October 28th, 3:20 p.m. ET
Here's to you, Mr. low-ranking team employees looking to break a story. Deadspin reports that multiple team employees with e-mail access confirm that the NBA will be back to "business as usual" on Monday.
UPDATE: Friday, October 28th, 11:40 p.m. ET
It's important to exercise cautious optimism. Yesterday, the two sides handled issues like the salary cap system, according to ESPN. Obviously hostility could skyrocket once the sides begin speaking about BRI again and the division of revenue, but the fact that significant progress was made is beyond encouraging for everyone involved.
Players have dropped their demands from a 57 percent share of the revenue down to 52 percent. Owners still insist they aren't budging from a 50-50 split. 2 percent may seem like a small discrepancy, but given the 10-year deal the sides hope to work out and the hundreds of millions of dollars at stake, 2 percent is a huge gap to bridge.
Even so, we can expect a deal to get done sooner rather than later. In his press conference yesterday, Stern said, "There are no guarantees that we'll get it done, but we're going to give it one heck of a shot tomorrow."
It's encouraging to hear that we could be hearing that the two sides have come to a deal any minute now. Compared to last week's dismal outlook on the situation, the potential to get a deal done at some point today has people on the verge of rejoicing in the streets.
Let's take a look at some tweets from around the league and from the masses, as the end of the work stoppage approaches.
As you can see, the mood has changed drastically quickly. LeBron's apology to the fan base seems like a distant memory now. Kings fans are preparing to be disappointed, and many fans have made themselves available just in case a deal doesn't get done.
Reports are emerging that a deal is close. One can only hope this nightmare will end.
