Lockout Claims More Casualties

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

September 15, 1998 / 11:36 PM EDT / CBS Sportsline

Training camp for referees and the rookie orientation program are the latest casualties of the NBA lockout.

Both were postponed indefinitely Tuesday.

"Until we have a better idea of when the season may start, there is no point in conducting training camp for the referees or holding a transition program for rookies," NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said.

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The referees' camp was to begin Sept. 25; the four-day rookie program was to start Sept. 20.

Last week, the NBA called off a game for the first time because of a labor dispute -- the exhibition between the Miami Heat and Israel's top team, Maccabi Elite. The game was scheduled for Oct. 12 in Tel Aviv.

The owners locked out the players July 1 after failing to reach agreement with the players on a new collective bargaining agreement. There has been little progress in negotiations.

The regular season is scheduled to begin Nov. 3.