Although the vote was not unanimous on the NBA?s latest contract proposal, the NBA referees decided to follow their chief negotiator Lamell McMorris? advice and take the offer.  McMorris feared a lock out of all NBA referees by David Stern if they did not take the offer.

Talks almost collapsed a week ago when the league added a handful of clauses to the contract including stipulation that the league office can fine the referees? union $1 million and any individual referee $50,000 for what they call, ?disruptions during the game.?

If the referees refused the proposal, NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik was prepared to announce plans to hire replacement officials.