LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- NBA Commissioner David Stern says he doesn't want to lock out players but instead reach a "sustainable business model" in union bargaining negotiations.
Stern told Sunday's Los Angeles Times the league wants a new collective bargaining agreement that will help solve inequality among the NBA's teams, as well as one that pays players "fairly."
"We want a sustainable business model that enables 30 teams to be able to compete for a championship and that fairly compensates our union members who are currently the best-paid members in the world," he said.
Like in 1998, when a lockout necessitated an abbreviated, 50-game NBA schedule, there is a "huge gap" between what players are asking and what owners are willing to accommodate, Stern said
But, he added, the goal of management is not to lock out players after the current NBA collective bargaining agreement expires June 30.
"(You) work hard to close (the gap)," he said. "And I think we have a capacity to do it."
The Times said labor negotiators met Friday in Los Angeles as the city hosts the NBA All-Star Game and its accompanying weekend festivities.
Stern said no tangible progress was made at the session.
