NBA Reaches Deal to Return by Christmas

After locking out players for 149 days, NBA owners appear to have reached a tentative deal with them for a shortened season beginning Christmas Day, reports the AP. The two sides held another marathon 15-hour negotiation session yesterday, lasting until nearly 4am this morning. The deal is reportedly for 10 years and features a 50-50 division of revenues, although it still needs to be ratified by the players and owners, adds the New York Times.

"We want to play basketball," says Commissioner David Stern. The season will be just 66 games, instead of the usual 82, with training camps starting Dec. 9. Talks broke down two weeks ago, with the players' union beginning the legal process of disbanding and filing suit agains the NBA, and Stern calling the situation a "nuclear winter." "All I feel right now is 'finally,'" says Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade. (More NBA stories.)