NBA, NBPA Reach Deal on New Collective Bargaining Agreement
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have tentatively reached a new collective bargaining agreement to ensure labor peace for the foreseeable future.
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NBA, NBPA Officially Release Details on New Deal
Wednesday, Dec. 14
The NBA and the NBPA released the following statement confirming their new agreement, per Candace Buckner of the Washington Post:
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical added it's a seven-year CBA.
Latest on NBA, NBPA Negotiations
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Wojnarowski spoke to a source involved in the talks Tuesday who said both sides were "still working at it, still close." Wojnarowski noted they were talking about a group licensing issue to complete the CBA.
The NBA and the players association had a meeting Monday and made progress, according to David Aldridge of NBA.com, who added it's not clear if either side will choose to opt out before Thursday's deadline.
Scott Soshnick of Bloomberg reported only one issue remains and the parties are 98 percent of the way there.
Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported Nov. 15 the NBA and NBPA were expected to finalize new CBA agreement terms shortly after Thanksgiving or in early December.
The CBA will likely include a shortened preseason, a reduction of back-to-back games and other steps to keep players healthy, per O'Connor.
On Oct. 24, Wojnarowski reported the sides were "working on a seven-year extension" to the CBA that has a "mutual opt-out" after six years.
Wojnarowski reported Oct. 20 a deal is "within sight," with most major points agreed upon. Wojnarowski added the "one-and-done" college rule will still be in effect.
Wojnarowski also noted the league and players association's basketball-related income split will remain between 49 and 51 percent for the players, with the owners entitled to the rest. The rule barring players from signing five-year maximum contracts if they turn 36 during the duration of the deal has also been increased to age 38, per Wojnarowski.
On Oct. 6, Wojnarowski reported the new deal could be done within the next "several weeks." The NBA and NBPA have until Dec. 15 to exercise an opt-out clause in the CBA, which was ratified in 2011 after a lengthy lockout.
Wojnarowski noted the two sides have agreed to a significant increase in rookie-scale contracts and a deal that would allow two-way contracts between the NBA and NBA Development League.
Anthony Comments on CBA Status
Saturday, Dec. 10
NBPA Vice President Carmelo Anthony told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com:
"I'm skeptical of something getting done. Do I think something could happen by the 15th? Yeah, I think something could happen. But I think this kind of put a dent in conversations. We had something so close. We were supposed to have a deal done weeks ago, and for this to happen at the 25th hour is tough.
"
Anthony said it will take "a miracle" to get a new CBA done by the deadline, per Shelburne.
Stein reported licensing and issues with player likenesses have become a major sticking point.
Season Reportedly May Begin Earlier Under New CBA
Friday, Dec. 2
Stein reported the 2017-18 season will likely move up between seven and 10 days under the new CBA, which would give the league more flexibility to limit back-to-back games in the schedule.
Latest on Potential New Mid-Level Exception
Monday, Oct. 24
"Hearing that the mid-level exception is poised to rise into the $8 million range in the NBA's new CBA up from $5.6M," Stein noted.
Silver Comments on Negotiations
Friday, Oct. 21
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters: "Reports are largely accurate. We've made tremendous progress. I'm pleased to report that."
Silver also spoke about Michael Jordan's role on the negotiating committee, per Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press: "For players to see him in that position, it doesn't mean if Michael says it, it necessarily means that they should accept it as the position they should take, but I think that's really added a special element unique to this league to have a superstar player like that owning a team now."
James Comments on State of Negotiations
Tuesday, Oct. 11
"I think the best thing about it, we started the conversation a long time ago," LeBron James said Oct. 10, per NBA.com. "We're very optimistic on both sides, from the players association to the owners to Adam Silver that we can get something done, and I think we can get something done. And I think it all started because we started the conversations early, ways we could better our league."
New CBA Doesn't Provide Major Changes to League Structure
The current CBA was put in place for 10 years, but few expect it to get past the 2016-17 season, giving both sides an opportunity to renegotiate.
An extended period of labor harmony is a credit to Silver and NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts, who are both at the head of the table for the first time. Silver was former Commissioner David Stern's longtime second-in-command and sat by his side as he negotiated with former NBPA chief Billy Hunter in 2011.
Hunter has been criticized for his practices while running the association and major losses suffered by players, and Roberts replaced him in July 2014. She is the first woman to run a union in major professional sports and has drawn rave reviews for her transparency and her willingness to fight for the players.
"It's important for the game that we be able to speak regularly," Roberts told Lois Nam of The Undefeated regarding her relationship with Silver. "I think, unlike, and I won’t name the other sport, but when the commissioner and the head of the PA can’t have an adult conversation, that doesn’t bode well, for the game or anyone. And so, we do speak regularly."
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