(Image Source: New York Daily News)

BY JOSH FRYDMAN

You're watching multisource sports video news analysis from Newsy.

First, the NBA goes into a lockout. Now, the league axes more than 100 employee jobs.

Coincidence? That’s what  league officials say. The New York Times reports:

“The layoffs came two weeks after the N.B.A. locked out its players and froze operations. League officials said the two events were unrelated, although they were clearly intertwined, with the N.B.A. claiming annual losses of $300 million and searching for cost savings."

114 people are out of jobs -- roughly 11 percent of the league office workforce -- in an effort to reduce costs by 50 million dollars.

Bloomberg sports also reports that a clause in the former employees’  severance packages prohibits them from talking to the press:

“These are not furloughed workers, it’s a straight reduction head count. The employees are not expected to be hired back. The league says it’s going to lose about $300 million this year across its 30 franchises.”

The cuts come from nearly every league division, including marketing, community relations, player programs, broadcasting and information technology.  A writer for NBC Sports’ Pro Basketball Talk isn’t buying the notion that the lockout and recent job cuts are mutually exclusive.

“I have a hard time believing they need to cut costs this deeply right now just as the league is starting to move on a real upswing in terms of national interest (and with that revenue)… unless you needed it to look like things were bad and the budget was way in the red ink. For example, like if you were in a lockout with serious CBA negotiations taking place.”

A CBSSports blogger says its careless spending that put the league in this position in the first place:

“Don't have Lenny Kravitz play at All-Star Weekend during the introductions. Boom, you've just saved five people's job… Cut back on a few league sponsored parties at All-Star Weekend. Don't cater the bargaining sessions. Hold them at a Motel 6 by the airport. Do any of these things and you've saved jobs. Jobs people need, who are depending on them.”

At least three N.B.A teams have let go of employees. The Charlotte Bobcats laid off at least seven people, including their radio play-by-play announcer, the Detroit Pistons fired 15 workers, and the Los Angels Lakers gave pink slips to most of their training staff, their longtime equipment manager and assistant GM.
 

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Transcript by Newsy.