NBRPA Announces New Agreement With NBA

CHICAGO, Aug. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only national association comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni announced today that it has signed a new five-year landmark Group Licensing Agreement extension with the National Basketball Association.

The new agreement will begin October 2016 and will extend the partnership through 2021. Through the agreement, the NBA provides licensing funds to former players and operational funds the NBRPA utilizes to support player programming and opportunities.

"We wish to thank the NBA for working closely with our CEO Arnie Fielkow and the NBRPA Board of Directors in supporting our organization's unprecedented growth and success," said Chairman Thurl Bailey.

"The NBRPA plays a critical role in assisting the league's former players and we look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with the Association," said Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner.

"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 25^th year with a solid partnership expansion," said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie Fielkow.

"The NBRPA shares in our desire to address important social issues," said Charles Rosenzweig, NBA Senior Vice President, Entertainment & Player Marketing.  "For years, we've been able to work with these basketball legends to make a positive impact on communities throughout the world."

Through the current relationship, the NBRPA has realized the following success:

• Since 2011, membership has doubled from 400 to over 800 members.
• Regional chapters have more than doubled in the same period from five to eleven cities.
• NBRPA has maintained a 95 percent annual member renewal rate.
• Expanded the organization's 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 2000 at-risk youth in the U.S. 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.

"With this increased financial support, we'll continue to provide meaningful benefits and programs to our members, and also to execute impactful community events both in the U.S. and abroad," said CEO Fielkow.

SOURCE National Basketball Retired Players Association

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