Current Demographics of National Basketball Players Association - Essay Example

? Running Head: NATIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION Introduction The National Basketball Players Association is an organization that was founded in 1954. The union was established by professional basketball players and for the players. Its main aim was to safeguard players’ rights and to ensure their rights and images are protected. The union had various objectives. It had a number of missions to accomplish such as to help players maximize their talents, and to guide them into achieving their goals both on and off the playing field. According to Stein (2011), the union was supposed to be like the guardian angel to the players by negotiating collective agreements, representing their grievances and guiding the players. It would also solve disputes arising between players and their teams, even player-player quarrels. Its overall purpose was to act at the best interest of players. The organization also creates a forum for members to engage in union activities. This is mainly through community outreach programs and in leadership roles. History of the Union The organization of the basketball union began in 1954 by the league’s top player Bob Cousy. He contacted other top players within the league and encouraged them of the importance of player unity. However, he received some opposition mainly from club owners, but the club owners insisted on their perspective. NBPA Official website (2013) says that in the year 1955, they came up with a list of concerns to the league’s bosses especially on the payment of back wages to the non-operational Baltimore Bullets club. They urged for the institution of a twenty-game limit on exhibition games and also to allow players to share on the benefits. They also championed for an independent settlement of player-owner conflicts. In 1957, the National Basketball Association's board of governors eventually gave in to the pressure and acknowledged the players union. They gave in to a list of demands from the players. According to the demands, players’ contracts had to be done by September 1st of every year. Regular players were not needed to report to training earlier than four weeks before the start of the season. Appearance of players on radio and television was to be considered, and the removal of the fine on whispering. According to Stein (2011), these acts were all for the benefit of the professional basketball players, thus encouraging them to participate in it. With time, they were able to bargain for more; in 1967 they bargained for monthly pension to players up to 65 years of age from start of their careers. These included new insurance packages and medical benefits and an increase to rookie salaries. Current Demographics of the Union The National Basketball Players has grown a lot over the years. It has led to the growth and development of talents. Many basketball players owe their fortune and careers to this organization. It has helped nurture and protects the players, welfare throughout all these years since its inception. Thirty basketball clubs have their representatives on this union, and they are players chosen by their colleagues to represent them during executive meetings. The union’s current president is Derek Fisher while the first vice president is Jerry Stackhouse. Secretary-Treasurer is James Jones with six other vice presidents. Thirty teams each have one representative to the union. The representatives also have alternatives who can sit on their behalf in case they might not be available. The organization has well over four hundred professional basketball players as its members. They are thus the major stakeholders of the union and are responsible for electing new officials to govern this body. The organization is created such that it has a number of departments with each responsible for various activities. According to NBPA Official website (2013), executive director’s office is the overall office overseeing all activities in the organization. We then have the legal department involved in handling all legal problems facing the union and its members, especially the players. The finance team manages all finance of the firm. There are the special events and sponsors departments, communications and the career development program. All these factions operate under the president who is the overall head and is helped by his Deputies. The Union’s Targeted Industries The National Basketball Players Association has identified a number of projects in the community, which it has enhanced to reach out to the less fortunate in the society. The programs also aim at identifying talent at young ages and nurturing them to ensure full exploitation. Through a number of initiatives, the body has cultivated a culture of giving back to the society. According to NBPA Official website (2013), the member players who participate in charity missions participate in charity activities. They strive to address certain critical issues in the society. They do this by collaborating with other partners interested in joining this noble course. They annually donate foods and other personal items to people in need of them across the country. They also travel overseas in order to better lives and help communities notably in Kenya. They also visit china and Saudi Arabia for these noble causes. Current Issue the Union is Pursuing The union just like other sports bodies is concerned with protection of player’s welfare and their wellbeing. This case is no different; it helps in negotiating on behalf of players with regard to the conditions of collective bargaining agreements. It also has the authority to ensure that the National Basketball Association does not go against the collective bargaining agreement. Stein (2011) says that they have the sole responsibility of certifying and regulating players’ agents while also coaching them. They engage in charity projects and philanthropic activities in the society. Players can also benefit here by using the union to file for his grievance, appeal against a fine facing him, solving of disputes between members and agents, the list is endless. Recent Negotiations, and Strikes, or Organizing Attempts This body has over the years been involved in negotiation of contracts, working conditions and interest of players. The union is entrusted with all discussions between players and team owners. The union defends players in case of any legal dispute; discuss salaries and terms of contracts on their behalf. It is during these discussions that conflicts have arisen in the past between the union and club owners. These conflicts have been so serious that some lead to players absconding duties. The latest case was in 2011 lockout, which went on for about 161 days and delayed the start of the 2011-2012 season. During this period, there were no activities of trading, signing of new players or improving contracts. Derek Fisher, the union president and the director Billy Hunter held highly powered talks headed by Commissioner David Stern. They discussed issues among them revenue allocation, salary cap composition and the luxury tax. They had certain conflicts mainly the reduction on the basketball related income share by players from 57% to around 47%, which the players objected. Owners proposed an implementation of hard salary cap and increase the luxury tax. This was in order to improve competition among clubs while the players did not want a change in the salary cap. Stein (2011) says that the impasse went on without solution until the league association called off the preseason and the games slated for December. It was until November 26 that they came to an amicable agreement to end the lockout. The result was 49%-51.2% Revenue split and a flexible salary cap but with stiffer luxury tax. However, this impasse had a much negative impact on the economy of most national basketball association cities. There was a loss of revenue generated by the cancelled games. Even most television networks were on the trailing behind as their ratings went down and fewer gains from advertisements. Conclusion The National Basketball Players Association has evolved over the years from its inception in 1954. Though currently it is still adapting but most important of all is their continued fight for player’s welfare and wellbeing. The union has come through tough moments, constantly rubbing shoulders with club owners and even getting into dreadlocks that took days to resolve. This basketball body has well over four hundred players as its members. The body handles all contracts and issues regarding these players. Each player has at one time or another called on the players association for help or even advice; thus making it one of the successful player unions around the world. There have been some disagreements between players and the union but the involved parties reached at a resolution. There were also some calls to disband it but it has passed through. The players who passed through this body have also created another one by the name National Basketball Retired Players Association. At this juncture, we can say that the NBA association has helped fight for players’ rights, and in safeguarding their benefits. Reference List NBPA Official website (2013). About NBA. NPBA.com. Retrieved from www.nbpa.com/news-about-nbpa/html Stein, M. (2011). NBA cancels first 2 weeks of season. ESPN.com. Retrieved from www.espn.com/nba-cancels-first-2-weeks-of-season/html Read More