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The National Basketball Association (NBA) and its players’ association (NBPA) have agreed a seven-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which will see the introduction of a new mid-season tournament.
Confirmed:
- Agreement kicks in from the 2023/24 season and runs until 2030
- In-season tournament will see the number of games per season increase
- Highest-spending teams’ second salary cap apron will be US$17.5 million above the luxury tax line
- New CBA includes more spending and trade opportunities for middle and lower payroll teams, such as larger trade exceptions, as well as mutual opt-out for players after their sixth year
- Organisations at the lower end of the luxury tax will receive lighter punishment
- Number of two-way contract slots to increase from two to three per team
- Upper limit on player contract extensions has risen from 120 per cent to 140 per cent
- Players will be required to play a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards
Context:
The newly signed CBA comes after the early opt-out deadline was extended, and will aim to address key areas such as team spending. The second salary cap apron will apply to some of the league’s highest-spending franchises such as the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers, with the aim of levelling the playing field for lower payroll teams.
Coming next:
The new agreement will ensure labour peace for the elite North American basketball league and its players for the rest of the decade. The NBA’s new in-season tournament could arrive as early as the 2023/24 season, featuring group stages in November, followed by a knockout stage in December. The ‘final four’ will be staged at a neutral venue, with ESPN reporting that Las Vegas is among the frontrunners to host the event.
