Labor lawyer and Chris Paul enthusiast Matt Bruenig has filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the NBA and the Knicks essentially for the fact that Adam Silver can unilaterally silence and fine players for participating in protected activities such as criticizing their employer. (There’s more to it in the article, I’m not a lawyer.)
For those confused what he has to do with the NBA, anyone is free to file a charge with the NLRB for unfair labor practices (ULPs) that they observe anywhere. He has been successful in these endeavors before, like getting Fred Meyer to remove language requiring prospective employees be willing to cross picket lines.
If this is taken seriously, it could have very interesting effects on player conduct and the commissioner’s abilities.
I’ve always thought that about sports leagues getting fining players. Like if my job told me to give them $100 because I tweeted something bad about them, I would tell them to go kick rocks. Even if I had signed a contract saying I agreed to be fined, absolutely no way that holds up in court.