NBA, referees agree on deal

NEW YORK. — The NBA approved a new five-year contract with its referees on Thursday, heading off a potential second lockout as the league continues to negotiate with players over a new deal.

NBA ROW. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, right, and NBA Commissioner David Stern talk during a break at the NBA basketball owners meeting in Dallas, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011. AP

Owners ratified the deal with officials at their meeting in Dallas on Thursday. Terms were not disclosed.

“We did not get everything we wanted, but given the current economic climate and the continuing players’ lockout, we are satisfied that this deal was in the best interests of our members,” National Basketball Referees Association general counsel Lee Seham said in a statement.

The deal comes two years after the league and referees were involved in contentious talks, during which the league locked out referees on Sept. 18, 2009.

Replacement referees were used during pre-season games before a deal was reached prior to the regular season.

The NBA’s current lockout of players reached its 76th day on Thursday.

Owners imposed the shutdown after being unable to sign a new
collective bargaining agreement with players. They seek a tight salary cap to promote parity and cut expenses, saying only eight of 30 teams make money.