NBPA Press Release (February 1, 2013)

New York, NY (February 1, 2013) – The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced today through its President, Derek Fisher, the formation of both an Interim Executive Committee and Advisory Committee to move the organization forward.  The Interim Executive Committee consists of all 5 active members of the most recent NBPA Executive Committee and was formed pursuant to the NBPA’s Constitution and Bylaws.

In light of the detailed findings contained in the recent report issued by the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, the ongoing criminal and civil investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and the need to ensure an orderly and appropriate meeting of the player representatives at All Star Weekend, the Players have requested that the Executive Committee protect the Players’ interest and move the Union forward.

The Executive Committee has begun this process by forming these additional Committees, which will ensure that the best interests of the players are being served and to provide full transparency to each member of the NBPA.  Because of the unusual circumstances at the Union, a result of mismanagement extensively documented by the Paul, Weiss report, the Committees have decided to take immediate actions that allow them to assess the situation fully and build a stronger, more effective organization that better represents their membership.

Included in the items the Committees have voted and approved unanimously:

• Mr. G. William Hunter to be placed on indefinite leave of absence
• Mr. Ron Klempner, currently serving as NBPA Deputy General Counsel, will be appointed Acting Executive Director until further decisions can be made
• Retaining outside Counsel to assist the Committees and the Players in moving the NBPA forward through All Star Weekend 2013
• Releasing the announcement of the formation of Committees as well as decisions voted upon to encourage full transparency moving forward
• Potential revision of All Star Weekend Player Meetings to ensure that ALL players will have best chance to attend without conflict

“Unfortunately, it appears that Union management has lost sight of the NBPA’s only task, to serve the best interests of their membership.  This is the reason I called for a review almost a year ago.  The findings of that review confirm this unfortunate truth and we must now move forward as Players.  Immediate change is necessary and I, along with the Committee Members, are committed to driving the process as difficult as it may be.  We ask for the cooperation, trust and patience of the Players, their representatives and some of our hard working NBPA staff as we navigate through this situation.  But rest assured that our goal is to do what is right for the Players and we will emerge stronger than before,” President Fisher stated.

Fisher, along with additional resources that will be on site at the NBPA offices in New York to assist during this time of transition and will be reporting not only to the Committees, but the Player Representatives and larger body.  Additional meetings of these Committees as well as the Player Representatives and General Body will be held in the coming days and weeks.