Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

NBPA's Michele Roberts Establishing Presence By Challenging Adam Silver On League Issues

In what has "amounted to a monthslong media tour," NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts has "detailed her personal problems with the NBA’s business structure," according to Keh & Araton of the N.Y. TIMES. She has "forcefully questioned the league’s pay model and labeled its entire cadre of owners as replaceable." She has "directly criticized" NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, "accusing him of violating" the CBA. All of this has "apparently been done with a purpose." Roberts has "felt compelled to establish her own presence on the national stage so that she can compete with Silver’s growing aura." She is aware that former NBA Commissioner David Stern was able to "overshadow her predecessor, Billy Hunter." As a result, it has "become imperative for her to come across as a strong figure." ESPN analyst Len Elmore said, “Whether the issues will later allow it or not, she can create the perception that she will be Adam’s equal. It’s important that she have their attention, and not just when they get around to collective bargaining.” Roberts said that her "recent visibility in media outlets had 'helped set the table' as she has settled into her new role." Keh & Araton note any "substantive negotiations with the league will take place in private." But Roberts said that the "continuing act of shaping the perceptions of the NBA was crucial, even at this early stage." Stanford professor William Gould IV said that Roberts' statements signified her desire to "'rally the troops, restore their confidence in collective bargaining, instill some credibility in terms of her own leadership' and to show her constituents that she was willing to challenge Silver, however popular he may now be." Gould: "This guy is kind of walking on water right now. I think probably she wants to chip away at that a little bit and also feel him out" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/26). See the sports business portfolio for the NBPA at Resource Guide LIVE.

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2014/11/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBPA.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2014/11/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBPA.aspx

CLOSE