CHICAGO (Sept. 6, 2018) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) continue to provide licensing revenue and transition programming to former stars under the NBRPA’s Licensing Partnership with the NBA, an agreement that provides additional funds to and in support of former basketball players.
The program includes fees generated from the sale of apparel, game footage, jersey sales, collectables, as well as the popular NBA 2K basketball video game, among other items. The amount of licensing revenue given to former basketball players has increased year-over-year, with a 294 percent growth since 2010.
“We are thrilled to work with the NBA on this initiative and give our players increased opportunities for additional licensing revenue,” said NBRPA President and CEO Scott Rochelle. “We will continue to work with the NBA 2K franchise and other entities to ensure more of our players are represented under this agreement.”
Royalties accrued through the program will be paid directly to NBRPA members. Former players who choose to opt into the program will also receive partial NBRPA benefits, including access to paid opportunities, transition services, health benefits, educational programs and career development.
The NBRPA is the official alumni association for former NBA and WNBA players and the only organization of its kind that is directly supported by both the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Former professional basketball players can participate in the NBRPA’s Licensing Partnership with the NBA by signing the NBRPA authorization form. To obtain an authorization form, please email info@legendsofbasketball.com or call the NBRPA main office at 312.913.9400.
###
Media Contact:
Brad Shulkin
Brad.shulkin@kemperlesnik.com
847.894.1808
ABOUT THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Spencer Haywood, Vice Chairman Dwight Davis, Treasurer Casey Shaw, Secretary Nancy Lieberman, Rick Barry, Johnny Davis, David Naves, Sam Perkins, Eldridge Recasner, Jerome Williams.
ABOUT THE NBA
The NBA is a global sports and media business built around three professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women's National Basketball Association, and the NBA Development League. The league has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages, and NBA merchandise for sale in more than 125,000 stores in 100 countries on 6 continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2015-16 season featured 100 international players from 37 countries and territories. NBA Digital's assets include NBA TV, NBA.com and the NBA App, which achieved record viewership and traffic during the 2015-16 season. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than one billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.