National Basketball Association

Silver says NBA labor deal not done yet, but getting close

Published Oct. 21, 2016 5:38 p.m. ET

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NEW YORK (AP) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the league and players have made ''tremendous progress'' toward an extension of the collective bargaining agreement, saying he hoped a deal would be completed soon.

Silver says the process was far different than the contentious negotiations of 2011, which led to a lockout and shortened season. He says Friday the sides are ''not done, done,'' but that he's optimistic an agreement is near.

Either side has the ability to opt out of the 10-year agreement by notifying the other before Dec. 15.

Silver credited Hall of Fame player Michael Jordan, now owner of the Charlotte Hornets, for his role in these negotiations. Silver says Jordan's relationship with players has ''added an enormous amount to the atmosphere in the room.''