The owners had asked the board to rule that the players were not negotiating in good faith.

The player can only negotiate with the team that drafted him.

Over time, the players have banded together and negotiated a measure of freedom.

"If there's no union in effect, players will negotiate their contracts as they always do," Kessler said.

In either case, each player could negotiate only with the team that drafts him.

Instead, the season will begin on Oct. 15, provided the players negotiate in good faith.

Other guilds followed suit, and soon all the major players were negotiating.

The owners and the players have not negotiated since Dec. 14.

Each player has a shot at the best items when they drop, and players must negotiate among themselves for the top prizes.

In 2002, the owners and the players actually negotiated a new agreement without a work stoppage.