NBPA Performance Summit

Constructive exchanges on player workload at NBPA Performance Summit

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NBPA Performance Summit

Prominent player unions exchanged best-practice and knowledge on athlete workload and performance at the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Performance Summit in Spain.

The NBPA, which protects and supports the rights of the 450 best basketball players in the world, hosted the two-day event that explored the latest developments in the sports performance and tech space.

The event generated fruitful engagement on performance and player protection from the sporting unions of football (FIFPRO), tennis (PTPA) and basketball (ELPA and NBPA).

Just a day after FIFPRO Europe and European Leagues announced they will jointly file a formal complaint to the European Commission on competition law grounds against FIFA regarding the international match calendar, panels stressed the role of player unions in protecting athletes.

Alexander Bielefeld
Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO’s Director of Global Policy & Strategic Relations for Men’s Football

"It is critical to exchange with leading player unions such as the NBPA, ELPA and PTPA on how we can support athletes on their path to peak performance and what our role is to protect their working environment," said Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO’s Director of Global Policy & Strategic Relations for Men’s Football. "Following the legal actions player unions in football have taken to advance player welfare, this exchange could not have come at a better time."

The NBPA Performance Summit was hosted alongside The Sanctuary, a performance retreat for players hosted in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The unique location provides a retreat-style feel for attendees, allowing them to engage in thought-provoking discussion with fellow leaders, athletes and attend expert-led workshops.

"It is the mission of the NBPA Performance Summit to provide a unique environment for players, performance specialists and our movement to come together and discuss the global trends that drive and impact our members," said Matteo Zuretti, NBPA’s Chief Player Experience Officer. "FIFPRO’s work on workload, competitions and performance provides a leading voice in this space."

"Player workload and performance management principles are a central piece for the work we do as player unions," said Bostjan Nachbar, Executive Director of Euroleague Player Union. "Even though each competition environment and sport will have its own challenges, the principles – while we need to keep making this one of our priorities – remain the same. Finding the right balance between commercial, welfare and performance aspects will always be at the centre."