NBA discusses CBA before opting it out

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (Photo taken from Adam Silver‘s official Facebook account)

NEW YORK – Representatives of the NBA and National Basketball Players Association met Tuesday to discuss the Collective Bargaining Agreement, about a year before either side could signal its intent to opt out of it.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts, and representatives of their staffs took part in the meeting, according to a joint release. The sides said it was a preliminary meeting that included “constructive dialogue” and they agreed to continue their discussions.

Also participating were representatives of the NBA labour relations committee and NBPA executive committee.

The CBA runs through June 30, 2021, but either side could opt out on June 30, 2017. To do so, it would have to notify the other side of its intent by Dec. 15, 2016.

With salaries skyrocketing and loads of money coming into the system next season with the new national TV deals that are worth more than $2.6 billion annually, there has been hope that a work stoppage could be avoided. Silver said recently the league’s relationship with the players was strong, and he was optimistic because things were going well for the teams and players.

The current CBA was ratified after a lockout that limited the 2011-12 season to 66 games.