NBA & NBPA in Talks Over New CBA, Including Draft Age Eligibility
(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
The NBA and NBPA have progressed in talks regarding a new collective bargaining agreement, adding new items to the agenda that will change the landscape of pro sports.
The news was reported Monday morning by The Athletic’s Sham Charania, citing that that both parties have been engaged in “serious conversations” with the Dec. 15 mutual opt-out date around the corner.
Sources: NBA and NBPA in serious talks on new items for potential Collective Bargaining Agreement:
– Draft age eligibility from 19 to 18, return of high school-to-NBA
– Measure that allows players citing mental health similar to physical injuryMore: https://t.co/ecABKkat2H
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 19, 2022
One of the biggest changes coming to fruition is the return of high school players to the NBA.
Under the current CBA, athletes must be 19 years of age and one year removed from high school to be eligible for the NBA draft. If talks continue to move in the right direction, that will change to 18 years, allowing high schoolers to jump straight from graduation to the pros.
“The NBA set the draft age limit at 19 years old in 2005. Silver said in July that he was “hopeful” for the rule changing in the next CBA cycle, and both sides appear motivated to reduce the age eligibility for the draft,” Charania wrote.
“The reduced age limit for high school-to-NBA jumps would go into effect as early as the 2024 NBA Draft.”
Another new initiative making waves is the inclusion of a new mental health designation on injury reports.
This will allow teams and players to cite mental health issues under the same umbrella as external injuries. Players will be able to get second opinions and psychiatrist visits as part of that package.
NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio has made it a priority to value the players’ well-beings in this round of CBA negotiations, looking to enhance the “generational wealth” of athletes.
“Creating generational wealth is critically important in this next chapter of the Union,” Tremaglio told The Athletic. “It’s critical to their legacy. Historically we have been so focused on making money — salary cap, etc. — but we all know that to have money, you’ve got to invest. We also 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.”
