National Basketball Association

Report: Union decertification 'far off'

Published Dec. 14, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The executive director of the NBA Players Association says the likelihood of decertifying the union is ''pretty far off,'' The New York Times reported on its website Tuesday.

Billy Hunter told The Times that decertification was just an option that was available in case of a lockout, but there was ''nothing immediate.''

The Sports Business Journal reported Monday that players from at least two teams had voted unanimously to authorize decertification, which could allow the players to sue the NBA if it attempted to impose a lockout when the collective bargaining agreement expires on June 30.

The NBPA declined comment.

Hunter is meeting with teams to discuss the labor situation. He spoke to The Times after visiting with the New York Knicks.