Are Players' Union Leaders Billy Hunter And Derek Fisher At Odds In NBA Lockout Battle?

Read More: nba lockout, nba lockout news, Derek Fisher (G - OKC)

FOXSports.com columnist Jason Whitlock has reported that there is unrest in within the players' union as the NBA lockout drags on, but not from where you'd think. Whitlock reports that National Basketball Players Association director Billy Hunter confronted NBPA president Derek Fisher before Friday's fruitless lockout talks over concerns that Fisher had negotiated a side deal with NBA commissioner David Stern to deliver a 50-50 revenue split.

No other reporter who has been covering lockout talks in New York has substantiated the report. Fisher sent one of his famous letters to the union membership discrediting Whitlock's report. SI.com procured the letter. In part, it reads:

[B]efore these reports go any further, let me say on the record to each of you, my loyalty has and always will be with the players. Anyone that questions that or doubts that does not know me, my history, and what I stand for. And quite frankly, how dare anyone call that into question. The Players Association is united and any reports to the contrary are false. There have been no side agreements, no side negotiations or anything close.