New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - The NBA and its veteran referees on Tuesday reportedly agreed in principle on a new two-year contract that will end the lockout of the league's 57 regular officials. TNT analyst David Aldridge and the New York Times reported the agreement came when the league decided to accept the officials' latest proposal. The executive board will recommend passage of the new contract on Friday in a meeting of the officials in New Jersey. If approved, the referees would report to a brief camp on Saturday and would be ready for the start of the regular season, which begins on October 27. Tuesday's meeting reportedly involved many key members, including NBA Commissioner David Stern and the union's attorney, Lamell McMorris. This was the first time the two met face-to-face in more than a month. The NBA has been using D-League and WNBA officials during the preseason since the league's regular officials were locked out on September 18. |
