NBA lays off about 114 league employees

NEW YORK — The NBA has laid off about 114 people over the last two days, planned cost-cutting moves that a league spokesman says are “not a direct result of the lockout.”

The laid off employees represent about 11 percent of the league office workforce in New York, New Jersey and internationally.

Spokesman Mike Bass tells The Associated Press on Thursday the layoffs are “a response to the underlying issue that the league’s expenses far outpace our revenues,” not because of the work stoppage that began July 1.

The cuts are part of a plan to reduce costs by $50 million in all areas.

The league has recently consolidated offices in Europe and Asia by closing offices in Paris and Tokyo.