NBA Season expected to start on Christmas Day
· Saturday, November 26th 2011 - 23.37 PM CET
After a 149-day lockout, owners and players reached a tentative new labor deal early Saturday, one they expect will be ratified in time to start the season with a Dec. 25 tripleheader.
It comes at a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for both sides, on top of the fans and jobs that were lost during the stalemate. And it leaves the NBA with its second shortened season, with the hope of getting in 66 games instead of a full 82-game schedule.
Both sides are expected to OK the pact, which would pave the way for training camps and free agency to open simultaneously Dec. 9.