The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), which is comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni, has signed a five-year group licensing agreement extension with the National Basketball Association.
The new agreement will begin October 2016 and is effective through 2021. Under the agreement, the NBA will provide licensing funds to former players and operational funds the NBRPA uses to support player programming and opportunities.
“This is a valued alliance helping our alumni organization be the strongest and most productive in the professional sports arena, as well as mark our 25th year with a solid partnership expansion,” says NBRPA President & CEO Arnie Fielkow.
Since 2011, NBRPA membership has doubled from 400 to more than 800 members. Regional chapters have more than doubled in the same period from five to 11 cities. Since partnering, the NBRPA expanded its charitable focus by activating the NBA’s Legends Care and Jr. NBA missions through the Full Court Press: Prep for Success touring basketball program that provides mentoring and sports skills to 2,000 at-risk youth in the United States and Haiti.
Expanded member benefits and programs to smooth a successful transition to life after the court, including an annual $200,000 Scholarship Fund to promote former player education and other opportunities that promote alumni business, personal and civic success. — M.Q.