The NBA evidently believes in the adage "that the best defense is a good offense" as the league not only filed an unfair labor practice charge against the NBAPA with the National Labor Relations Board, but also filed a lawsuit against the NBAPA in New York federal court. The actions of the NBA reflect the league's concern that the NBAPA will follow the path taken by the NFLPA by decertifying and then heading to court.

Commissioner David Stern explained the actions of the NBA by saying,

Stern in referring to Billy and Derek was speaking of NBAPA head Billy Hunter and NBAPA president Derek Fisher.

The NBA was no doubt anticipating the next move of NBAPA lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, which would be decertifying the union. Kessler fresh off the settlement of the recent war between the NFL and NFLPA, told reporters that no decision had been made yet about decertification.

The NBA's lawsuit seeks a declaration that the current lockout does not violate antitrust laws.

Kessler

NHL seeks new ideas to keep Islanders from moving

 

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the NHL will work to keep the New York Islanders from moving when the team's lease expires in 2015. It was on Monday that Long Island voters rejected a referendum that would have raised taxes to replace the Islanders current 39 year old arena.