National Basketball Players Association

The National Basketball Players Association (the NBPA) is a labor union that represents basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was founded in 1954, making it the oldest trade union of the four major North American professional sports leagues. However, the NBPA did not get recognition by the NBA team owners until ten years later. Its offices are located in the historic Park and Tilford Building at 310 Lenox Ave., New York City, New York.[1] It was briefly a trade association after dissolving as a union during the 2011 NBA lockout.

Contents

Formation

Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics began to organize the union in 1954.[2]

Salary cap

Main article: NBA salary cap

In 1983, players and owners reach a historic agreement, that introduced the "salary cap" era into professional sports. This was believed to be the first salary cap in any major professional sports league in the United States.

1995 NBA labor dispute

The NBA experienced its first work stoppage, when owners imposed a lockout, that lasted from July 1 through September 12, when players and owners reached an agreement. Because the lockout took place during the off-season, no games were lost.

1998–99 Lockout

Main article: 1998–99 NBA lockout

The second NBA lockout, which ran into the 1998-99 season, lasted almost 200 days, and wiped out 464 regular-season games. After players and owners reached an agreement, the season did not start until February 5, 1999, with each of the 29 NBA teams playing a 50-game schedule.

2011 Lockout

Main article: 2011 NBA lockout

The current collective bargaining agreement was reached in July 2005, and expired at 12:01 EST on July 1, 2011, following completion of the 2010-11 NBA season, resulting in a lockout, similar to the 2011 NFL lockout. ESPN has reported that the owners and players failed to reach an agreement and broke off negotiations, and that the owners began a lockout immediately after the collective bargaining agreement expired.[3]

On November 14, the NBPA was converted from a union into a trade association, enabling the players as individual employees to be represented by lawyers in a class action antitrust lawsuit against the league, calling the lockout an illegal group boycott.[4][5][6] The NBPA re-formed as a union on December 1, receiving support from over 300 players, exceeding the requirement for at least 260.[7]

Leadership

Executive Directors

Presidents

References

  1. ^ Cindy Hamilton (July 2008). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Park and Tilford Building". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=102772. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  2. ^ Bradley, Robert. "Labor Pains Nothing New to the NBA". http://www.apbr.org/labor.html. Retrieved 2011-02-26. 
  3. ^ Sheridan, Chris (30 June 2011). "NBA says it will lock out players". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6723645. Retrieved 30 June 2011. 
  4. ^ Newcomb, Tim (November 15, 2011). "NBA Players Look to Disband Union: Will There Be a Season At All?". TIME. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/63DrzVjuP. 
  5. ^ Beck, Howard (November 15, 2011). "N.B.A. Season in Peril as Players Reject Offer". The New York Times: p. A1. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/63Dv730qY. 
  6. ^ Hunter, G. William; Fisher, Derek; The NBPA Executive Committee. "NBPA disclaimer". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/63DvLUrbX. 
  7. ^ "NBA players authorize return of union". ESPN.com. Associated Press (ESPN Internet Ventures). December 1, 2011. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/63cZa8W6N. 

External links

North American Major League Sports Player Associations