David Stern hasn’t confirmed it publicly, but every every NBA fan’s nightmare appears to be fully realized. There will be no 2011-2012 NBA season. The nasty back-and-forth between the NBAPA and the league’s owners hit a new low today as the union will promptly begin disbanding, per ESPN. “We’re prepared to file this antitrust action against the NBA,” said union director Billy Hunter on the matter.

No telling how long the process is going to take, but any fleeting hopes for a season seem unrealistic. For the foreseeable future, NBA action will be relegated to a series of court rooms and stars of the league trading in their colorful jerseys for muted three-piece suits.