*NBA players reject offer

AP reports that the players have begun the process of disbanding the union. If that happens, it would send the whole mess to the courts - and that could mean scratching the season.

"We're prepared to file this antitrust action against the NBA," union executive director Billy Hunter said. "That's the best situation where players can get their due process." He said players were not prepared to accept the NBA Commissioner David Stern's ultimatum, saying they thought it was "extremely unfair." "This is the best decision for the players," union president Derek Fisher said.

From ESPN:

The proposal players rejected Monday called for a 50-50 division of basketball-related income. Players are still unhappy with what they believe are too many restrictions for big-spending teams that would limit their free agent options, but Stern said the proposal is far better for players than the one player reps said they would reject last week. Now likely waiting for the players is a proposal that will call for a 53 percent to 47 percent split of BRI in the owners' favor, a flex cap with a hard ceiling and rollbacks for current salaries.

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