NBA Agent Education 101

June 14, 2010

NBPA Deputy General Counsel Ron Klempner addressed nearly 200 certified player agents during the 2010 NBPA Agent Seminar.

By: Talia Bargil
For NBPA.com

Home to the greatest professional athletes in the world, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) exists to ensure that the rights of NBA players are protected and that every conceivable measure is taken to assist players in maximizing their opportunities, both on and off the court.

In just one component of this vital function, the NBPA oversees the regulation and certification of NBA player agents. In an effort to assist these agents in successfully executing their roles, the NBPA’s Legal and Agent Administration Departments proactively work to keep this group on top of each year’s industry happenings and trends.

In early June, the NBPA hosted almost 200 NBA agents in New York City and Los Angeles during the annual NBPA Agent Seminar. Designed to prepare and update the group on everything from free agency to regulation and negotiation issues, to changes in the league system, review of arbitrations and data of league transactions, much of this year’s focus was on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a hot topic in professional basketball today.

“Particularly at this time, with the CBA due to expire, communication between the agents and the NBPA is critical to the success of the collective bargaining process,” said Jeff Austin, Octagon Senior Vice President/ Managing Director, Basketball. “The seminar is a great opportunity to hear from the Union and to begin the process of unifying our interests for the difficult negotiation ahead.”

Austin, who represents players such as Chris Paul, Stephen Curry and Rudy Gay, says he leaves the Seminar each year with valuable, useful information.

“The NBPA makes it a year-round priority to counsel NBA agents on players’ rights and benefits, as well as to assist in negotiating players’ individual contracts. But each year during the NBPA Agent Seminar, we go a step further to educate our agents and equip them with the necessary tools and information to help them to best serve our players,” said Ron Klempner, NBPA Deputy General Counsel.

In addition to the NBPA’s Legal Department, which exists first and foremost to protect and advocate players’ rights and benefits, the NBPA Agent Administration Department has taken an integral role in several facets of agent activities.

Established in 1986 to address and prevent mistreatment in relationships between agents and players, Agent Administration requires that any individual attempting to negotiate a Uniform Player Contract with an NBA team on behalf of a player be certified by the NBPA. In addition, the Department maintains a close relationship with the NCAA Enforcement Department to ensure that NBPA-certified agents comply with student-athlete regulations.

Today, under the leadership of NBPA Executive Director G. William Hunter, NBA players enjoy expansive benefits and are among the most recognizable entertainers and athletes in the world.

And with a stable of agents to oversee, it is only fitting that the NBPA makes it a top priority to ensure that the best interest of NBA players are represented.