Tentative deal moves NBA lockout closer to end

(AP) NEW YORK - With a tentative labor agreement in place, National Basketball Association owners and union officials went back to work Saturday, relaying details of the deal with hopes of cementing it quickly.


After a 149-day lockout that ultimately will cost the league approximately a half-billion dollars in losses, a marathon bargaining session produced a handshake agreement earlier in the day — actually, just a few hours before daybreak.


President Barack Obama gave a thumbs-up when told about the tentative settlement after he finished playing basketball at Fort McNair in Washington on Saturday morning..................................