NBA, Players’ Union Discussing Next Collective Bargaining Agreement

The NBA and NBA Players Association are in the midst of discussing the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is set to go into effect in 2024, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Commissioner Adam Silver is fronting talks for the NBA, with executive director Tamika Tremaglio representing the union. Either side can opt out of the current agreement ahead of its expiration in 2023-24.

Should either opt out by Dec. 15, the current CBA will then expire at the end of June 2023.

So far, talks have been “positive,” per Charania, with no signs of a lockout or strike looming. The sides are expected to meet in person next week.

An area of focus from the union’s point of view is the idea of creating lasting equity for the players beyond their standard contracts, as Charania relayed.

“Creating generational wealth is critically important in this next chapter of the union. … We know that the uncertain lifespan (of an NBA career) makes it crucial to plan for what happens after the ball stops bouncing — creating this generational wealth,” Tremaglio told Charania. “Thinking about the players’ contributions to the game and how they can be compensated for it will mean there will have to be more equity structures in place.

“It could be the sale of a team. It could be the deals they are entering where they are receiving equity beyond the four or five years that a contract exists. It’s much broader, and I don’t think historically we’ve looked at it. It’s been the here and now.”

Other items of note:

• The NBA and union are expected to agree that the draft-eligible age will be changed from 19-years old back to 18, allowing those who have completed their high school careers to immediately enter the draft.
• Both sides are considering adding mental health designations to the official injury reports released by teams.
• The league and its owners are considering adding even more stiffer luxury tax penalties for teams that go over the salary cap. Per Charania, several team executives believe this will be the biggest point of contention.

“I remain optimistic that we will resolve all of the issues, and I remain very intentional about what we want to get accomplished,” Tremaglio said.