AP: Experts predict lost games for NBA

[Omaha Steve]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6277628&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

MIAMI -- Jeffrey Kessler and Howard Ganz were attorneys on opposite sides of the dais in a hotel ballroom Thursday, which seemed strangely appropriate given that they were discussing labor issues facing professional sports.

Among Kessler's clients: NBA players.

Among Ganz's clients: the NBA itself.

And already, concern is ramping up that the NBA could soon be in the same situation the NFL currently faces.

Many in a field of top sports business experts appearing at the World Congress of Sports believe that all major sports leagues -- other than baseball -- are likely facing labor trouble, with some predicting that next season's NBA schedule will be shortened by a work stoppage. Talk of labor issues dominated the two-day event, which ended Thursday.

"I think certainly a lockout is by no means inevitable," said Ganz, the co-chair of Proskauer's Sports Law Group and someone who has advised the NBA on labor issues for more than 30 years. "There is plenty of time left to reach a new agreement. The parties have been engaged in negotiations. ... I'm sure there will be bargaining sessions scheduled shortly."

“

One would hope basketball can learn from the lessons being provided right now from football. I don't think there's anybody on the players side that is looking forward to the prospect of the lockout.
” -- Attorney Jeffrey Kessler


The NBA's current labor deal expires June 30.

With the NFL already three weeks into its lockout after talks on a new labor agreement broke down, and with baseball involved in talks on a new deal -- its collective bargaining agreement expires in December, though there are no signs of major trouble looming in its negotiations -- there's widespread speculation across the sports world about what may happen with the NBA.

FULL story at link.