National Basketball Players Association
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Basketball Players Association, or the NBPA is the labor union of players in pro basketball's National Basketball Association. 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.
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[edit] Formation
Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics began to organize the union in 1954. At that time, the league had no health benefits, no pension plan, nor minimum salary, and the average players salary was $8,000 a season. Over the next decade, the salaries increased, and the owners finally recognized the NBPA in 1964, after players had threatened to walk out of the NBA All-Star Game.
[edit] Salary Cap
In 1983, players and owners reach a historical 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.
[edit] 1995 Lockout
The NBA experienced its first work stoppage, when owners imposed a lockout, that lasted from July 1 through September 12, when players and owners had reached an agreement. Because the lockout took place during the off-season, no games were lost.
[edit] 1998-99 Lockout
The second 1998-99 NBA 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, with each of the 29 NBA teams playing a 50-game schedule.
[edit] Current status
The current collective bargaining agreement was reached in July of 2005, and is scheduled to expire after the 2010-11 NBA season.
