41.   Richmond has filed an unfair-labor-practice charge contending that Stern improperly threatened to cancel the season if the players voted to decertify the union.

42.   Rudolph said it was his understanding that Murdoch was prepared to invest heavily in a new league once Commissioner David Stern cancels the season.

43.   Richmond charged that Stern threatened to cancel the season if the players voted to decertify the union.

44.   Should the season be canceled, it would be the first time a major professional sports league in North America lost an entire season for any reason.

45.   Several dozen NHL players have played for European teams this season and more are expected to sign up if the NHL season is canceled.

46.   So the worst-case scenario would be to cancel the season.

47.   So, too, are big chunks of the lives of many who have fallen victim to the players strike that prompted owners to cancel the season.

48.   Stern has the task of delivering a deal to appease the owners that will prevent the NBA from becoming the first major professional sport to cancel a season.

49.   Stern has threatened to cancel the season if necessary.

50.   Stern said unless he thinks there is significant progress toward an agreement, he will recommend canceling the season at the Board of Governors meeting on that date.