SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - For the past month it's been noticeably quiet in downtown Salt Lake, thanks in part to the NBA lockout, but local business owners and managers are hoping that will all change soon - now that the lockout appears to be over. After 149 days, owners and players reached an agreement early Saturday morning.
A manager for Red Rock Brewing Company predicts the end of the NBA lockout will be an early Christmas present for the local economy. "It will definitely help us a lot. There's a huge influx of people that come downtown for Jazz games," says Red Rock manager Stefan Marsco.
According to managers the lockout has stifled Salt Lake's economy, resulting in less customers, less revenue and even loss of jobs. "You have to think past your own business. It's a trickle down effect. People are losing jobs every day and this is just one more thing someone can lose a job over," says Marsco.
The NBA season will start on Christmas Day and it will be a 66 game shedule - down from the normal 82 games. The scheduels will have to be re-worked, so it's not clear when the Jazz will start playing.
Training camps are set to open on December 9th. It's the same day teams can start talking to free agents.
