More NBA labor talks set for Thursday

After eight more hours of discussion between the players and owners as they attempt to end the lockout, federal mediator George Cohen issued his first public statement about the talks.

Don’t get your hopes up. It was short and not particularly sweet.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports.com reports that Cohen on the status of the talks. Cohen emphasized the importance of confidentiality in the talks and confirmed that more talks would continue on Thursday.  

NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner reports that Wednesday’s meeting lasted for 8 1/2 hours, with NBA commissioner David Stern. “Everyone is extremely focused on the issues that confront them,” Cohen said.

Yahoo.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that two sources indicated that progress was made on the basketball-related income revenue split, but also added there was at Wednesday’s extensive talks.

Which means it will be back to the negotiating table Thursday afternoon for both sides.

NBA talks stretching out into long discussion

The critical NBA labor talks have just passed their seventh hour as both sides appear adamant about at least trying to keep talking in their hopes of brokering a deal that would end the 109-day lockout.

The well-connected Ken Berger of CBS Sports.com, always a must read on all labor-related matters, reports in a tweet that his sources have told him to .

The New York Post’s Marc Berman notes that federal mediator George Cohen as the talks extend into the evening.

It might be a blow to taxpayers, but  the fact that both sides are continuing to talk indicates that there could be a chance at movement today.