10 Things to know about The National Basketball Players Association

Basketball signed by Michael Jordan on sale. Author GabboT. Wikimedia Commons

10 Things to know about The National Basketball Players Association

Like other labor unions, The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) serves to protect and support the rights and interests of NBA players. It was formed in 1954 and has registered several milestones since then. Its membership is restricted to active NBA players only and is structured in a way that it has its president, vice presidents, and every team in the league has its representative. With a fully operational secretariat, its offices are located in the historic Park and Tilford Building in New York City. It was briefly a trade association after dissolving as a union during the 2011 NBA lockout

1. The NBPA Advocates On Behalf of the Best Interest of all NBA Players

NBA All Star Cross-Over Event. Author Erik Drost. Wikimedia Commons

Being the oldest trade union of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) ensures that the rights of NBA players are protected and that every conceivable measure is taken to assist players in maximizing their opportunities and achieving their goals, both on and off the court.

Whether it is negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, prosecuting a grievance on a player’s behalf or counseling a player on benefits and educational opportunities, NBPA is always on top of it. Their core value is the best interest of all NBA players.

2. The NBPA Has Ensured NBA Players Enjoy Wide Ranging Privileges And Protections

Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O’Neal 1999 (1999 – 2000 Season). Author Copyright by Steve Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com. Wikimedia Commons

Before the union’s inception, NBA players did not receive the wide-ranging privileges and protections that exist today. There was no pension plan, no per diem, no minimum wage, no health benefits and the average player salary was $8,000. It was not until 1964, when the NBA All-Star team threatened not to play in the first televised All-Star Game, that the players gained their first victory. They are now one of the highest paid athletes and enjoy so many privileges that have uplifted most of them to celebrity status.

The NBPA managed to win its players per diem payments and travel expenses and an increase in the playoff pool payment, and the majority of the previously demanded conditions amongst other successes.

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3. It Is The Exclusive, Certified Labor Union Representation Of All NBA Players

Basketball. Photo by TJ Dragotta on Unsplash

It took ten years before the union got recognition. This was thanks to the union’s early leaders, including NBA Hall of Famers Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn and Oscar Robertson, who worked tirelessly and with commitment to ensure the NBPA stamps its authority as the exclusive, certified labor union representation of all NBA players. Since then, there have been dramatic changes, and the NBPA continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing challenges facing NBA players.

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4. NBPA Union Members Are Among The Most Recognizable Athletes And Entertainers In The World

Basketball player Jim Jackson spinning a basketball. Author United States Diplomatic Mission to South Africa. Wikimedia Commons

Because of the hard work and tireless effort of its predecessors, the NBPA union members enjoy expansive benefits and are among the most recognizable athletes and entertainers in the world. No wonder many people across the world love to watch the NBA action.

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5. It Provides A Forum For Union Members To Participate In Union Activities

As a core mandate initiated from its establishment, the NBPA provides a forum for players to participate in union activities in a number of facets. From executive leadership roles, to team representative positions, global community outreach initiatives and more, the NBPA offers each NBA player the opportunity to get involved in the democratic institution that was created for, continues to exist for and is run by them. This has led to increased awareness and self-confidence among the players improving their worth in the game of basketball.

6. It Has A Unique Leadership Structure

The National Basketball Players Association also has a unique leadership structure. Similar to most countries, the association has a president that serves on a four-year term. In addition, The NBPA’s Executive Committee also has a First Vice President, the Secretary Treasurer and six additional Vice Presidents. All these are elected by their peers at the Board of Player Representative meetings. The current president is C.J. McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans who was elected in 2021 after serving as vice president for three years.

7. Each NBA Team Has Its Representative In The National Basketball Players Association

 Each NBA team has its representative in the National Basketball Players Association as well. At the start of every NBA season, teams pick their representatives and potential replacements. It is the responsibility of these players to serve as their team’s delegates during representative meetings. They have the right to speak on behalf of their teammates and are also in charge of selecting the leadership of the union.

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8. The Early Days Of The National Basketball Players Association Were Quite Difficult

The roots of the NBPA go all the way back to 1954 with Bob Cousy. Cousy mailed each NBA team and asked for their support to approach NBA President Maurice Podoloff. They were demanding for better conditions and benefits from the league.

Those early days of the National Basketball Players Association proved to be quite difficult. The negotiations for the pension plan resulted in the 1964 All-Star game strike. All-Stars refused to step on the court just before the game. However, it was fruitful after team owners to agree to their demands resulting from long negotiations with their representatives.

9. The NBPA Has Now Been Converted From A Union To A Trade Association

The NBPA has now been converted from a union into a trade association to give it more teeth to bite. This has enabled the players as individual employees to be represented by lawyers.

10. It Is Also Actively Involved In Broadcasting

Video Camera. Photo by Ralph (Ravi) Kayden on Unsplash

As one of its activities in the recent past, The NBPA organizes Sportscaster U., an annual broadcasting training camp at Syracuse University in association with the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. In past ten years, hundreds of NBA players have attended this camp, and went on to successful careers in broadcasting