Judge Will Rule on Players’ Suit Against NBA

A federal judge in Newark, N.J., said he will rule without a trial in a players’ union suit against the National Basketball Assn.

U.S. District Judge Dickinson Debevoise granted the NBA Players Assn.’s motion for summary judgment on the issue of whether the NBA’s college draft, salary cap and right of first refusal are exempt from federal antitrust laws.

Debevoise agreed to hear oral arguments Nov. 23 and to rule without a full trial. The union had hoped for a ruling before the season opens in early November.

The union filed suit last week charging that the NBA rules restricting players’ ability to move among the league’s 23 teams as free agents violate the Sherman and Clayton antitrust acts.

The NBA’s labor contract expired June 15.