NBA owners and players have reached a tentative deal to end the lockout and open a shortened season on Christmas day. NBA commissioner David Stern emerged from a 15-hour meeting between the parties in the early hours of Saturday morning to say they had reached a "tentative understanding that is subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations." He added: "We're optimistic that will all come to pass and that the NBA season will begin December 25." Any agreement must still be ratified by both NBA owners and players, with a majority needed on each side. The ratification process for the players is complicated since they disbanded their union on November 14 and launched an anti-trust lawsuit against the league in Minnesota. They must drop the lawsuit and re-form the union in order to vote on the deal.