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.
Article
“I filed the charge against the NBA and the New York Knicks because the bylaws also make each NBA team include language in their contracts with players that require them to abide by the bylaws. So the contract of every NBA player essentially re-incorporates this violation. The Knicks play in NYC where the NBA is located, so they are the most convenient team to include on the charge as a joint employer.”