Flashback to 1998. The owners have just decided to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement in an attempt to curb players' maximum salaries, while the players union looks to keep the current system in check and seek a raise for those making the minimum.
In late June the two sides break off negotiations, forcing a lockout. The parties continue to try and hammer home an agreement right before the season starts, but are unsuccessful and the first weeks of the season are cancelled.
Finally, just when it appears all hope of salvaging the '99 season is lost, NBPA executive director Billy Hunter and NBA commissioner David Stern worked out a deal that ended a 204-day lockout, the longest in NBA history.
Back to the present day. It's 12 years later and the NBA and the players union find themselves in a much similar situation.
Owners once again want to place a limit on the maximum contracts a player can receive and argue that, even though attendance is near an all-time high, the owners lost a combined $370 million last season.
On the other hand, the players union counters that the current system is working—play ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Eric Felkey
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