71.   Without one, they have said, they will cancel the season.

72.   Would they have been better off canceling the season and starting over again next fall?

73.   Working in a room underneath the stadium, they are responding to a deluge of refund requests received since the season was canceled last week.

74.   Owners retaliated by canceling the season, wiping out the playoffs and the championship World Series.

75.   After the meeting, Bettman announced that owners gave him authority to cancel the season if no agreement was reached on a new labor contract.

76.   Although no firm deadline for canceling the season has been set, Bettman has the authority to do so.

77.   Bettman has avoided discussing a deadline to cancel the season.

78.   Boston general manager Harry Sinden, for example, said he believes owners and players will remain entrenched in their positions until the season is cancelled.

79.   Boston Bruins general manager Harry Sinden says he believes owners and players will remain entrenched in their positions until the season is canceled.

80.   Commissioner David Stern said some of the remaining employees could face layoffs if the season is canceled.