In the American economy, capitalism is the basis of all major markets; markets such as textiles, healthcare, utilities and sports entertainment. Professional basketball is a huge industry in the United States in which many companies and sports fans spend money to monitor and support it. Devastating to many fans, the National Basketball Association (NBA) found itself in lockdown in 2011 due to the many economic problems it had experienced in previous years. During a lockout, players cannot play, teams are not allowed to trade, recruit, or contact players, and many players are not paid and cannot access team facilities or personnel NBA. The 2011 NBA lockout was the fourth lockout in NBA history. The 2011 lockout began on July 1, 2011 and ended on December 8, 2011, delaying the start of the NBA season by almost two months. Although many critics would say that the 2011 NBA lockout was caused by the greed of team owners and the refusal of professional players to compromise, the primary and most impartial causes of the NBA lockout 2011 saw the expiration of the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that occurred in 2005 and the Great Recession of 2007. Nonetheless, the greed of team owners and the reluctance of professional players to negotiate clashed and extended the NBA lockout period. In order to fully understand the causes of the 2011 NBA lockout, we must first identify the implications of previous CBA contracts and negotiations. The previous National Basketball Association lockout in 1998 reduced the 1998–99 NBA season by 32 games, from 82 to 50. However, the owners and players eventually reached an agreement and a new collective bargaining agreement of six years was accepted. The six years of co...... middle of paper ......ons he would have on the sport. Given the financial difficulties the National Basketball Association was experiencing and the massive impact of the Great Recession on American industries, it stands to reason that the 2007 recession changed the NBA's economy and necessitated numerous financial reforms. which would arouse controversy. among team owners and players; thus, leading to the 2011 NBA lockout.Works CitedJoshua. “What caused the NBA lockout.” Parisbasketball.org. October 11, 2011. The web. February 16, 2012. Parlow, Matthew J., “The NBA and the Great Recession: Implications for Upcoming Collective Bargaining Renegotiation.” Journals-College of Law. Depaul University, 2010. Web. February 16, 2012. Zegers, Charlie. “NBA Lockout 101: the issues, the arguments and the uncertain future of the NBA.” About.com. 2010. Internet. February 16. 2012