The NBPA player reps are expected to vote for a new player president at its annual meeting in Las Vegas today, as well as provide players with an update on the search for a new exec dir. Free agent G and NBPA VP Roger Mason Jr. has stated he will run for the position. It is not clear if another player may run for the position, but players can nominate candidates from the floor of the meeting, under the union’s constitution. “Our bylaws say that any member in good standing is eligible to run for office,” said interim Exec Dir Ron Klempner. “A member in good standing in the summer months, includes someone who finished the season on a roster and is not yet signed to a new contract.” About 40 NBPA player reps are expected to attend the meeting today. Klempner said the union’s Exec Committee met yesterday for about 10 hours to discuss union business and prepare for the meeting. It is expected that the union will name a search firm today. Asked about that, Klempner said the Exec Committee would give an update on the search process. The player reps are also expected to be given an update on the lawsuit former Exec Dir Billy Hunter filed against the union, outgoing President Derek Fisher and his publicist, Jamie Wior (Liz Mullen, Staff Writer).
BEHIND THE SCENES: In N.Y., Howard Beck writes NBPA leaders have been "quietly working to rebuild their association from within, while still dealing with the fallout from Hunter’s messy tenure and sagging morale at the union’s Harlem offices." It could be "another six months" before the union names a successor to Hunter, and the lack of a permanent exec dir "has made it nearly impossible for the league to move forward on certain initiatives, including testing for human growth hormone, which Commissioner David Stern wants in place for the coming season." Stern said, “Right now, they’re a little bit hamstrung." Beck notes known candidates for the position include MSG Sports Teams President of Business Operations Steve Mills, NBA Exec VP/Basketball Operations Stu Jackson and Bobcats President Fred Whitfield. The next exec dir could be "negotiating a new labor deal as soon as 2017, when both sides have the option to reopen the agreement" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/21).
