The NBA players association has rejected a contract offer, and has begun decertifying their union. The players have been locked out for 137 days. The league had offered a 50-50 revenue split, with games starting on December 15th. The league filed a lawsuit earlier this year to forestall an anti-trust lawsuit by players once the union is disbanded. The league has also filed an unfair labor practice claim against the union with the National Labor Relations Board. The longer the negotiations go on or are forestalled, the greater the chance of the season being canceled.
See "NBA Talks Collapse, Head to Court", Kevin Clark, The Wall Street Journal, November 14, 2011