Rockets guard Fred VanVleet elected president of NBA players union

Yahoo

5 days ago

Veteran guard Fred VanVleet is widely viewed as a leader for the Houston Rockets, and now his leadership voice has an even larger platform.
As first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, VanVleet was elected as the new president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), succeeding CJ McCollum of the Washington Wizards.
VanVleet "is regarded as someone who has seen every level of competition and exhibits advocacy for the union,' Charania writes. He adds:
VanVleet was voted NBPA president during the Board of Player Representatives meeting and will begin a four-year term immediately. McCollum's term expired and he will transition to an advisory role, sources said.
McCollum, who served as president for the past four years and previously was an executive vice president (2018-21), led the NBPA in negotiations to complete the seven-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in 2023.
As Charania noted, VanVleet has set records for the highest-paid contracts by an undrafted player. He recently re-signed with the Rockets on a two-year deal worth $50 million, with a player option for the second season.
The soonest opt-out date for the current CBA labor pact between the NBA and NBPA is after the 2028-29 season. Thus, VanVleet's current four-year term will overlap with the decision regarding whether to opt out and any associatied negotiations.
'It's truly an honor to be elected as president of the NBPA by my peers, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the best interest of all the members,' VanVleet said in a statement issued by the NBPA. 'With a deep appreciation for the complexities and challenges players face on all levels of their NBA journeys, I am committed to approaching this role with the passion, dignity, and dedication every player deserves."
Beyond the court, VanVleet is committed to philanthropy and advocacy. In recent years, he founded The VanVleet Family Foundation (VFF), which aims to increase access and exposure for youth through educational opportunities, athletic programs, and career development. As a father of three, VanVleet demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the court, according to the NBPA's statement.
'It's been a privilege to serve on the NBPA Executive Committee for the past seven years and uniquely shape the business of our game,' McCollum said in the NBPA's press release. 'I am encouraged by the future of the PA under Fred's leadership, as he has earned the basketball community's respect and has proven he is ready for this next step. I look forward to supporting him as we continue building a stronger Association that serves past, present, and future generations of players.'
Under VanVleet's guidance, other members of the new NBPA Executive Committee are Grant Williams, Mason Plumlee, Jaylen Brown, Jaren Jackson Jr., Donovan Mitchell, Garrett Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Gabe Vincent.
More: Rockets gain spending power by restructuring Fred VanVleet to two-year, $50-million deal
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets guard Fred VanVleet elected president of NBA players union