Stern optimistic Nets sale approved by end of year

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NEW YORK (AP) -- NBA commissioner David Stern says the sale of the New Jersey Nets to Russia's richest man could be approved by the end of the year.

Stern said on Thursday that Mikhail Prokhorov, who has a deal to buy 80 percent of the team, had a positive introduction with NBA owners during their two-day Board of Governors meetings.

Prokhorov's application is currently under review and the sale must be approved by three-fourths of the league's owners.

Stern also says he's hopeful the referees will approve a new contract with the league that would put them back to work for the start of the regular season next Tuesday.

The commissioner also says owners voted to give the league office emergency powers to determine what happens if teams can't field the minimum eight players because of illness.

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