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

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

NBA players filed an amended antitrust case against the league Monday in federal court in Minneapolis, a legal step that consolidated a pair of antitrust suits they filed Tuesday.

Lawyers for NBA owners and players have not spoken since last week, players’ attorney David Boies said Monday at a press conference in New York.

“If the league’s approach is to ignore the litigation...and hope it goes away...I don’t think that’s in our interest and it’s certainly not in their interest or the fans’ interest,” Boies said.

A week ago NBA players essentially dissolved their union to clear the way for antitrust suits to be filed after labor talks collapsed.

A group of players, including All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, filed an antitrust lawsuit in Northern California against the NBA while another group of players, led by Caron Butler, filed a similar lawsuit in Minnesota.

“They were basically the same substantive complaint,” Boies said, adding that filing only one lawsuit “should permit us to expedite the case.”

Lawyers for the players consolidated the litigation on Monday by re-filing one comprehensive lawsuit in Minnesota, claiming the NBA had conspired against players by locking them out July 1. In a statement, the NBA criticized Boies’ actions.

“This is consistent with Mr. Boies’ inappropriate shopping for a forum that he can only hope will be friendlier to his baseless legal claims,” said NBA attorney Rick Buchanan.

Boies said he hoped to hear from the NBA’s attorneys in early December.

ALSO:

USC’s offense is a basket case

Bill Plaschke: Galaxy can finally take its place among L.A.’s stars

L.A.’s greatest sports moments No. 20: Kobe to Shaq, alley-oop

-- Mike Bresnahan