Founded in 1954, the NBPA aims to fight for the rights of NBA players, its mission is to ensure that initiatives are created to help them maximize their opportunities and achieve their goals, both on and off the court.
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul has been the president for the past eight years, he has developed a fundamental work interceding for the rights of athletes in various ways, such as:
- Led the NBPA in negotiations for its landmark 2016 cba securing significant salary increases for players, broadening the players' revenue share, improving the pension plan, providing paid-for health insurance and regular medical screenings for all retires players, creating a comprehensive mental health & wellness program, offering a new tuition assistance benefit, and vastly broadening the players' influence in all matters addressed jointly with the league;
- Took back the players' group licensing and sponsorship rights for the union and established 'THINK450', the for-profit arm of the NBPA, to oversee the management of those rights and create additional business opportunities for all 450 NBA players;
- Built a home for the players, overseeing the construction of a new player-focused NBPA headquarters in midtown Manhattan which features a state-of-the-art training facility and basketball court presented by the Hospital For Special Surgery (HSS);
- Instrumental in fighting throught COVID crisis developing a plan and protocols for a safe return to play in the Orlando bubble in 2020 and then a complete 2020-21 season despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic;
- Advocated for social justice, promoted civil engagement, and secured the creation of permanent joint and NBPA coalitions, forever identifying NBA players as leaders of social justice causes;
- Hired Michele Roberts as the NBPA’s executive director, making her the first woman to head up a major sports union in the U.S.;
- Oversaw the unionization of the G-League players and supported the WNBPA’s successful 2019 collective bargaining;
Chris, who has always been honored and privileged to lead the NBPA's interests, is now transfering powers to Portland Trail Blazers small forward CJ McCollum who will chair the union for an immediate four-year term.
Good luck to the athletes in their respective projects and careers.
