Post: #1

NBA players make Michele Roberts first woman to head major sports union

The National Basketball Players Association, the union for NBA players, was seen as a rudderless ship even before previous executive director Billy Hunter stepped down early 2013. So it is an association that has been crying out for a strong leader, and it hopes it got just that in its newest choice: Michele Roberts.

Roberts, at the very least, was an historic choice, as she becomes the first woman to head a major sports union. She comes to the NBPA from the premier law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher and Flom, where she was a top litigator. A 2011 article in Washingtonian magazine referred to her as a “renowned trial lawyer” who “is known for dazzling juries.”

According to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Roberts was the choice of NBPA president, and Clippers point guard, Chris Paul, who rounded up the votes amid a somewhat contentious meeting of union executive committee members and player representatives from NBA teams.

Several player agents were said to be unhappy with all of the three candidates up for the vote Monday night in Las Vegas, and they pushed for a postponement of the decision. Also, Jerry Stackhouse, despite having no official role, turned up and made some noise.

Post: #2

As the article mentions, the NBPA was a weak union before, especially in comparison to the MLBPA in baseball. The NBPA got worked over in the last two lockouts (successive cuts in the share of league revenues going to player salaries, for example). I'll be interested to see how this plays out during the next inevitable CBA negotiations.

Of course, the NBA is no longer headed up by David Stern who had a reputation as a fierce, hard line negotiator. So with two new negotiators, it gets more interesting.

Post: #3

Me thinks Mr. Silver is going to do just fine in negotiations...

Post: #4

Billy Hunter was a joke whose reign was marred by nepotism, among other things.

Perhaps this woman is qualified, we'll see. I won't be surprised if there is now a call from Jezebel and the like to have pay between the NBA and WNBA players be more equitable.

With the amount of money the players have, I'd hire David Boies and Ted Olsen.

Post: #5

(07-29-2014 12:28 PM)NilNisiOptimum Wrote:  Of course, the NBA is no longer headed up by David Stern who had a reputation as a fierce, hard line negotiator. So with two new negotiators, it gets more interesting.

Adam Silver was apparently the one working behind the scenes to unite the owners and his personality is more likeable than Stern but he is even more of a hardliner from what I have read.

Post: #6

(07-29-2014 01:18 PM)CRR Wrote:  Billy Hunter was a joke whose reign was marred by nepotism, among other things.

Perhaps this woman is qualified, we'll see. I won't be surprised if there is now a call from Jezebel and the like to have pay between the NBA and WNBA players be more equitable.

With the amount of money the players have, I'd hire David Boies and Ted Olsen.

Nobody watches the WNBA. If you paid NBA players what WNBA players were paid, they'd walk out and form their own league, as would most of the owners. Conversely, if WNBA players were payed what NBA players are paid, the WNBA would go bankrupt.

Post: #7

Oh, I 100% agree and am aware regarding the NBA v WNBA. My understanding is that the WNBA loses money each year and is supported by the NBA.

But facts don't stop feminists.

Post: #8

(07-29-2014 02:15 PM)CRR Wrote:  Oh, I 100% agree and am aware regarding the NBA v WNBA. My understanding is that the WNBA loses money each year and is supported by the NBA.

But facts don't stop feminists.

Even they won't say something that crazy, if they do I expect them to get laughed at by everyone (including other feminists). The NBA subsidizes the WNBA.

Post: #9

Fair enough, I shouldn't harp on something that hasn't happened.

Yet.