NEW YORK (Reuters) - The National Basketball Association (NBA) postponed a program that provides rookie players with skills and information necessary for a successful transition into the league until it can resolve the lockout.
The Rookie Transition Program (RTP), scheduled for August 9-11, will be rescheduled once the NBA and players reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
"Without a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union, we will be unable to hold RTP as originally scheduled," NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
"This is an important educational program for our incoming players, and it will be rescheduled once the parties agree on a CBA."
The NBA locked out its players nearly a month ago after last-ditch negotiations for a new labor deal collapsed.
The lockout threatens the start of the 2011-12 season in late October and marks the NBA's first work stoppage since the 1998-99 season was reduced by 32 games to 50.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Julian Linden)
