The NBA's "interest in adopting a more scrutinizing domestic violence policy" puts NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts "in a conflicted spot," according to Michael McCann of SI.com. On one hand, Roberts is "keenly aware that domestic violence prevention has become a top priority in professional sports." Along those lines, Roberts would "risk the wrath of media, fans and possibly lawmakers if she voiced opposition to a tougher policy." On the other hand, Roberts "owes fiduciary duties to NBA players to maximize their employment interests." This means she "may need to advocate socially unpopular positions from time-to-time." Roberts "should want 'something' in return from the NBA." But the next round of CBA negotiations "won't occur for at least two years, and possibly five years." The current CBA runs through '20-21, but "either side can terminate the CBA on June 30, 2017." To "exercise the early termination clause, the side that seeks to opt out must notify the other by December 15, 2016." The "danger for Roberts to negotiate a new domestic violence policy during this current period of labor harmony is that everything isn't on the table." In fact, Roberts "might not be able to extract any concessions from the NBA, as the league would likely express concerns about changing rules unrelated to domestic violence." McCann: "You might argue that now isn't the time or place for Roberts to bargain, as domestic violence is too critical an issue to postpone. You might also argue that Roberts, as a new leader, has not yet earned the stature to play hardball on such an important topic." But this is "precisely where Roberts must demonstrate that she will protect the interests of those she represents: NBA players, not fans, not media and not the NBA" (SI.com, 10/1).
TIME TO TAKE ACTION? BLEACHER REPORT's Howard Beck wrote the NBA has "long abided by a basic American principle of jurisprudence: that everyone is innocent until proven guilty." This "may sound prudent and rational, but it is no longer adequate in a post-Ray Rice world." The NBA "won't punish its players until the courts do." As a result, NBA players are "almost never suspended or fined for domestic violence -- a stance that has left the league looking passive and ineffectual." Beck: "Every year, a player or two is charged with domestic violence. Every time, the NBA defers to the courts and ends up doing nothing." No NBA player "has been suspended for domestic violence" since then-Kings F Metta World Peace was in '07. Meanwhile, even when a player "has pleaded no contest ... the league has done nothing." The NBA "proudly points to its policy of a minimum 10-game suspension for any violent felony conviction." Yet Lakers F Jordan Hill "evaded discipline by getting his charge reduced to a misdemeanor as part of his plea deal" in '12. Celtics F Jared Sullinger was "accused of assault and battery after an incident with his girlfriend" in September '13, but the case was "dismissed when the woman refused to testify, as often happens." The Celtics and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge "suspended Sullinger for one game anyway, declaring that he had 'failed to meet the high expectations we have for all Celtics employees.'" NBA Commissioner Adam Silver "should follow Ainge's example." If the NBA can "reasonably conclude that something happened, it can and must act." The NBA has "no obligation to prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt -- only that the player's conduct was wrongful and detrimental to the league" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 10/1).
