NBA, 'union' continue to talk late Friday night

NEW YORK - The NBA and lawyers for the NBA players continued settlement talks on Friday in New York.

The meeting, which began at noon, had not ended as of press time.

The NBA was represented by commissioner David Stern, deputy commissioner Adam Silver, San Antonio Spurs owner Peter Holt, general counsel Rick Buchanan, and deputy general counsel Dan Rube.

The players were represented by former chief of the National Basketball Players Association Billy Hunter, president Derek Fisher, general counsel Ron Klempner, economist Kevin Murphy, and one of Jim Quinn's law partners.

Not present for the players were lead antitrust lawyer David Boies and Quinn, a "deal broker" who helped save the 1998-99 season.

Because the NBPA dissolved on Nov. 14, Friday's talks were technically "settlement talks," as the former union - now a trade association - has filed an antitrust suit against the NBA. The talks would lay the groundwork for the next collective bargaining agreement, which could only be ratified once the players union reformed.

Both sides are attempting to agree upon a new CBA in the next few days. Doing so would allow the NBA to kick-start its season on Christmas Day.

Stern has said the league needs approximately one month - a free-agency period, training camp, and preseason games - to start the season.

According to CBSSports.com, the starting point for this round of negotiations was the most recent proposal: a 50-50 split of basketball-related income.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the NBA believes it can play a 66-game season if a deal is brokered in the next few days. To accomplish that, the regular season would be extended by approximately two weeks.