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Settlement talks resume between NBA owners and players

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Negotiators for both sides in the NBA labor dispute resumed discussions in New York on Friday morning, according to multiple reports, with the hope of concluding a deal by this weekend so the 2011-12 season can start with Christmas Day games.

Technically the negotiations are settlement talks over the antitrust suit filed by the players against the NBA after they disbanded the players union last week.

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But this week negotiations quietly resumed with attorney David Boies, who represents the players in their antitrust case, and with Jim Quinn, former counsel for the NBA players association, joining talks with attorneys for the league.

Quinn played a key role in settling the bitter 1998-99 labor dispute that led to a shortened 50-game regular season.

This year’s labor dispute has been particularly contentious since NBA owners locked out the players on July 1.

There have been reports that NBA Commissioner David Stern wants to have enough time for at least a 60-game regular season, which is why this weekend’s talks are crucial. If an agreement is reached, it would take a 30-day window to allow free agents to be signed and for teams to gather for training camps and play a few exhibition games before starting the regular season.

When the labor talks broke off last week, the NBA offered players a 50-50 split of basketball revenue. However, the players are looking for more generous concessions in the length of player contracts and limiting luxury taxes on teams to allow better deals for free agents.

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Lawyers for NBA owners, players meet at bargaining table

NBA players re-file antitrust case; still no contact with the league

-- Barry Stavro

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