1998–99 NBA lockout

1998–99 NBA lockout
1998–99 NBA lockout
Date	July 1, 1998 – January 20, 1999 ; (6 months, 2 weeks and 5 days)
Location	United States; Canada;
Caused by	Owners agreed to reopen the 1995 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement in March 1998; Stalemate over division of the NBA's basketball-related income and salary cap structure between NBA team owners and players;
Goals	Owners proposed a reduction of players' salaries, as well as a modified pay scale; Players proposed an increase in the minimum salary;
Resulted in	Agreement reached to end lockout on January 6, 1999 New six-year collective bargaining agreement ratified on January 20; players' salaries reduced from 57% to a maximum of 55% of the league's income; 1998–99 season reduced to 50 games per team; season began on February 5;
Parties
National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)	National Basketball Association (NBA)
Lead figures
	Billy Hunter (executive director) ; Patrick Ewing (president) David Stern (commissioner)

The 1998–99 NBA lockout was the third lockout of four in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It lasted from July 1, 1998, to January 20, 1999, and forced the 1998–99 regular season to be shortened to 50 games per team and that season's All-Star Game to be canceled. NBA owners reopened the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in March 1998, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed the owners' plans and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After the two sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners began the lockout.

The dispute received a tepid response from sports fans and provoked criticism from media members. It continued into January 1999, threatening the cancellation of the entire season. After division within the players union, however, NBPA executive director Billy Hunter reached an agreement with NBA commissioner David Stern on January 6 to end the work stoppage. Quickly ratified by the owners and players, the deal was signed later in January, ending the lockout after 204 days. The settlement provided for maximum salaries for players and a pay scale for first-year players. In the months after the lockout, television ratings and ticket sales declined during the 50-game season, and both remained below pre-lockout levels in subsequent seasons.

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