NBA Lockout Begins

NEW YORK (AP) -- The NBA's labor deal has expired, and the league has locked out its players, the second pro sports league shut down by labor strife.

The collective bargaining agreement, which owners say cost them millions of dollars a year, ended at midnight after players and owners failed to reach a new deal.

Despite a three-hour meeting Thursday and a final proposal from the players, the sides could not close the enormous gap that remained in their positions.

In a call with the labor relations committee on Thursday, Commissioner David Stern recommended that the first lockout since the 1998-99 season be imposed.

Teams are prohibited from having any contact with their players.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)