The NBA and representatives of the players’ union ended six hours of talks Wednesday with Commissioner David Stern promising more “meetings and meetings” through September to resolve the lockout that threatens the upcoming season.
The meeting in Manhattan was just the second between the sides since the lockout took effect July 1.
Player representative Derek Fisher of the Lakers told reporters afterward that the union had not changed its “philosophical stance” on issues and added that “both sides [are] feeling a sense of urgency” to strike a deal, with training camp just more than a month away.
Basketball officials declined to say when the next meeting would occur.
Stern told Sports Illustrated, “We don’t have any deadlines in mind. We just have meetings in mind.”
The sides are divided on how to distribute revenue, with the owners last formally pitching a $2-billion salary pool that would shrink last season’s $2.15-billion pot.
The players have asked the National Labor Relations Board to intervene, complaining the league has not engaged in sincere negotiations, but the NLRB has not yet ruled.
-- Lance Pugmire
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