History
Founded in 1992 by NBA Legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson, the NBRPA is a non-profit Association comprised of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA and Harlem Globetrotters. Working in direct partnerships with the NBA and the NBPA, the Legends of Basketball's mission is to promote basketball and enhance the sports image by assisting Members in building community relationships and fostering support for charitable activities; offering the Dave DeBusschere NBRPA Scholarship Fund for members and their children; monitoring the pension plan; and creating revenue-earning opportunities such as special appearances and international basketball tours.
Mission Statement
The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is a non-profit organization comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA,
Learn More About the history of the NBRPA through this RoundTable Discussion with the founders.
Article Date: Fall of 2002
Q: What motivated you and your colleagues to create the National Basketball Retired Players Association?
BING: The need and the inclusion of those players who were there in the infancy of the league.
CLARK: I got involved with the Players Association as an active player early in my career. I believed then as I do now that there should be one association for active and retired players. The NBA Players Association's by-laws prohibit retired players from retaining membership, so I campaigned to change those by-laws as an active player, but to no avail. The National Basketball Retired Players Association was born out of a need to help retired players who had fallen on hard times. We also felt strongly that those players who played in the league and retired before 1965 deserved parity in pension benefits. They have received an increase but there still is no parity. Also, we are the caretakers of the game we love and although we are dispersed around the country, there is a need to be united in purpose.
COWENS: I'm real pleased to have been involved in the founding of the Association. I got involved because Oscar Robertson asked me to. When one of the greatest players of the game asks you to do something, you do it! I have no regrets! I had a heck of a time.
We started this Association for three reasons:
- Provide strength in numbers for the purpose of negotiating with the NBA and other businesses on behalf of the retired players.
- To continue the brothership of players and enjoy each other's company.
- Lend a helping hand to former players in need of various financial and social assistance.
DEBUSSCHERE: I think the motivating factor was pretty much a concern for people; to be in a position to help the children of former players with scholarships and to help some of the players themselves who were not as fortunate and played in different periods when there wasn't the kind of money being made today. We really wanted to build up benefits for former players regarding education and health care, basically just stuff to help former players. ROBERTSON: I think the motivation was a lot of players that contributed so much to the success of basketball in the past still had valuable commodities to commit to basketball. I think when the guys got together and saw what other leagues were doing with zeal to preserve their respective sports, our guys felt they could be doing the same thing. I think the idea to preserve the game of basketball was the motivation.
Q: What were some of the obstacles you faced to establish the organization and how were you able to surmount them?
BING: Lack of trust and involvement from former players as well as the league office. Poor communication, which led to different agendas.
CLARK: First and foremost we had to convince retired players that an association had value. We also knew we needed a dedicated revenue source to defray expenses. We thought that All-Star Saturday, which included the Legend's game, was to be the revenue source. Instead those dollars went to the Legend's Foundation created by the NBA. That setback indicated a need to demonstrate to the NBA that our association was not adversarial. After numerous meetings with the NBA, working together to raise funds to support the association, I believe we demonstrated to them (NBA) that we have their interest along with the interest of all players utmost in our minds.
COWENS: This was tried a few times before the group of five got together, but we just put our heads down and we just made it happen.
DEBUSSCHERE: There were a few obstacles, but I felt that once we got the ball rolling and we got a lot of people involved it started to roll pretty good. The Legends Foundation helped us to get started. Then word got out and we did a lot of mailings and we tried to convince people to get involved and help out and a lot of people did.
ROBERTSON: Our obstacles included gaining credibility, getting started as a new organization and asking people to join. Even though the fees were not that outstanding there was some doubt that this venture was going to be successful. The league was also looking over our shoulder trying to make sure we were doing the right thing and we were. They wanted to make sure we were all working together for a common goal: for the improvement of the game of basketball and for basketball to be on a higher scale.
Q: What do you think has been the NBRPA's greatest accomplishment in the past 10 years?
BING: Growth in membership and services provided.
CLARK: The NBRPA's greatest accomplishment in the past 10 years is increasing the pension benefit for our pre-65 retirees. Still, there is need to reach parity with all players.
COWENS: Undoubtedly, the pension adjustment is the NBRPA's greatest accomplishment. Jack Marin really helped the pension thing happen. It was a huge windfall! That's what happens when you rely on your teammates to help you get the "W's"!
DEBUSSCHERE: I think the membership roll is the greatest accomplishment; getting enough people involved and interested to try to keep this thing going.
DEBUSSCHERE: There were a few obstacles, but I felt that once we got the ball rolling and we got a lot of people involved it started to roll pretty good. The Legends Foundation helped us to get started. Then word got out and we did a lot of mailings and we tried to convince people to get involved and help out and a lot of people did.
ROBERTSON: Our obstacles included gaining credibility, getting started as a new organization and asking people to join. Even though the fees were not that outstanding there was some doubt that this venture was going to be successful. The league was also looking over our shoulder trying to make sure we were doing the right thing and we were. They wanted to make sure we were all working together for a common goal: for the improvement of the game of basketball and for basketball to be on a higher scale.
Q: What do you think has been the NBRPA's greatest accomplishment in the past 10 years?
BING: Growth in membership and services provided.
CLARK: The NBRPA's greatest accomplishment in the past 10 years is increasing the pension benefit for our pre-65 retirees. Still, there is need to reach parity with all players.
COWENS: Undoubtedly, the pension adjustment is the NBRPA's greatest accomplishment. Jack Marin really helped the pension thing happen. It was a huge windfall! That's what happens when you rely on your teammates to help you get the "W's"!DEBUSSCHERE: I think the membership roll is the greatest accomplishment; getting enough people involved and interested to try to keep this thing going.
ROBERTSON: For me, the greatest accomplishment is having our annual NBRPA meeting and having it attended by a lot of interested former players. Sometimes the people in the meetings were critical while other times there were pats on the back, but what's important is having a meeting where people can work together and have open debates to discuss our problems as well as our successes.
I also look at securing benefits for our players at Deborah Hospital, Health South etc. as accomplishments.
Q: What would you like to see the NBRPA accomplish during the next 10 years?
BING: Continued growth in services and opportunities for members to participate in moneymaking endeavors.
CLARK: During the next ten years, I would like to see pension benefits increased for all retirees and parity for the pre-1965ers. I would like to see a marketing plan established and implemented that would increase our licensing revenue to create additional income for all retirees, or at the least fund health insurance benefits for all our members.
COWENS: I'd like to see them increase their membership and create additional advice and employment opportunities for retired players.
DEBUSSCHERE: Bigger membership, I'd like to see more of the younger guys who are just retired and really care about the sport itself and the pioneers, the players who established it. These younger players could be very very valuable.
ROBERTSON: I'd like to make sure that all people who are not involved with the Association understand what we are trying to do. I'd also like to ensure that we keep the people who are already involved updated on the Association's activities via written documents and email. Other than that, it's difficult to say as things change daily depending on the circumstances, but I do think that to try and help get involved and change the image of basketball, which seems to be going in a different direction than what they intended.
Q: Is there still a need today for the NBRPA, now that player salaries have increased exponentially?
I also look at securing benefits for our players at Deborah Hospital, Health South etc. as accomplishments.
Q: What would you like to see the NBRPA accomplish during the next 10 years?
BING: Continued growth in services and opportunities for members to participate in moneymaking endeavors.
CLARK: During the next ten years, I would like to see pension benefits increased for all retirees and parity for the pre-1965ers. I would like to see a marketing plan established and implemented that would increase our licensing revenue to create additional income for all retirees, or at the least fund health insurance benefits for all our members.
COWENS: I'd like to see them increase their membership and create additional advice and employment opportunities for retired players.
DEBUSSCHERE: Bigger membership, I'd like to see more of the younger guys who are just retired and really care about the sport itself and the pioneers, the players who established it. These younger players could be very very valuable.
ROBERTSON: I'd like to make sure that all people who are not involved with the Association understand what we are trying to do. I'd also like to ensure that we keep the people who are already involved updated on the Association's activities via written documents and email. Other than that, it's difficult to say as things change daily depending on the circumstances, but I do think that to try and help get involved and change the image of basketball, which seems to be going in a different direction than what they intended.
Q: Is there still a need today for the NBRPA, now that player salaries have increased exponentially?
BING: Yes, if for no other reason, there needs to be an organization that supports and understands the transition from active to retired.
CLARK: There is definitely a need for the NBRPA. Present day players are receiving large salaries, and if they invest and save wisely they will have financial security. But, there will be those athletes that did not command the high salaries, and these players will have financial setbacks. The NBRPA is a needed support association that will be available to help restore the dignity and self-support to those players who have fallen on hard times. Also, the NBRPA represents the living history of the NBA, demonstrating how players should care for, work at, and respect the game.
COWENS: Yes. But to me, today's players are not the people we serve right now. Only when they retire and aren't rolling in the cash do they think of us and how we can help which goes back to the reasons we founded this organization.
DEBUSSCHERE: I don't think salaries have anything to do with it. The need will always be there. There will always be people who need assistance. Former players will always want to have a part of a sport that was very good to them and by these people joining the NBRPA, it will make the association that much better.
ROBERTSON: I think there's always a need for people who have some abilities to get involved with basketball. As long as you participated in basketball there's always an opportunity to make a contribution.
Q: What do you foresee being the NBRPA's next big challenge?
BING: Joining forces with the active association and having one voice.
CLARK: The NBRPA's next big challenge will be marketing and licensing our logo. I believe there is great potential in the marketplace. I understand the NBA's position and believe a good working relationship with them is important and should be maintained. Nevertheless, there seems to be enough market space for the NBRPA as well. We need to work diligently to promote our mark and create a lasting niche in the marketplace.
COWENS: Increasing the membership and getting the involvement of the high profile players like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan. That can be difficult because some people are so protective of their rights.
Q: For all the retired players who have not joined the NBRPA yet and for the current NBA players who may be in the twilight of their careers; what is the most compelling reason for them to join the Association?
BING: Shared vision, opportunities, services and the need to stay close to something or somebody that was such an important part of our lives.
CLARK: All retired players should join the NBRPA because we are a family, and united we can accomplish much. Also, each retiree has an opportunity to add to the glorious history of the NBA experience. That experience does not end with the final game we play. Instead, that experience continues for the rest of our lives. We are labeled former NBA players regardless of our successes or failures. So, it is incumbent upon us to leave a positive legacy. That legacy can truly be expressed and demonstrated by coming together in our association and working toward enhancing the entire image of the NBA as a caretaker of the game we all love.
COWENS: It's a heck of a bargain! You get access to the Health South facilities to work out, Deborah Cardiovascular Center, and the opportunity to go to All-Star Weekend and the Joint Meeting. For $150, I don't think you can find a better deal!
DEBUSSCHERE: To be part of an organization to be in a position to say thank you to a sport and to fellow players who have gone before them to pave the highway so to speak.
ROBERTSON: I take the position that if you want to get involved and make changes you have to be in the meeting. We might not ever get 100 percent participation. There are some current basketball players that think they are making those million dollars because they are great basketball players. They don't realize that it's because of the work that the other players did before them who made it possible for them to get the big payday. I would like to see people have some more dialogue. I'd like to get the players who are really committed to the goals and philosophies of the NBRPA to get involved and make changes. You have to be involved to facilitate change!
CLARK: There is definitely a need for the NBRPA. Present day players are receiving large salaries, and if they invest and save wisely they will have financial security. But, there will be those athletes that did not command the high salaries, and these players will have financial setbacks. The NBRPA is a needed support association that will be available to help restore the dignity and self-support to those players who have fallen on hard times. Also, the NBRPA represents the living history of the NBA, demonstrating how players should care for, work at, and respect the game.
COWENS: Yes. But to me, today's players are not the people we serve right now. Only when they retire and aren't rolling in the cash do they think of us and how we can help which goes back to the reasons we founded this organization. DEBUSSCHERE: I don't think salaries have anything to do with it. The need will always be there. There will always be people who need assistance. Former players will always want to have a part of a sport that was very good to them and by these people joining the NBRPA, it will make the association that much better.
ROBERTSON: I think there's always a need for people who have some abilities to get involved with basketball. As long as you participated in basketball there's always an opportunity to make a contribution.
Q: What do you foresee being the NBRPA's next big challenge?
BING: Joining forces with the active association and having one voice.
CLARK: The NBRPA's next big challenge will be marketing and licensing our logo. I believe there is great potential in the marketplace. I understand the NBA's position and believe a good working relationship with them is important and should be maintained. Nevertheless, there seems to be enough market space for the NBRPA as well. We need to work diligently to promote our mark and create a lasting niche in the marketplace.
COWENS: Increasing the membership and getting the involvement of the high profile players like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan. That can be difficult because some people are so protective of their rights.
Q: For all the retired players who have not joined the NBRPA yet and for the current NBA players who may be in the twilight of their careers; what is the most compelling reason for them to join the Association?
BING: Shared vision, opportunities, services and the need to stay close to something or somebody that was such an important part of our lives.CLARK: All retired players should join the NBRPA because we are a family, and united we can accomplish much. Also, each retiree has an opportunity to add to the glorious history of the NBA experience. That experience does not end with the final game we play. Instead, that experience continues for the rest of our lives. We are labeled former NBA players regardless of our successes or failures. So, it is incumbent upon us to leave a positive legacy. That legacy can truly be expressed and demonstrated by coming together in our association and working toward enhancing the entire image of the NBA as a caretaker of the game we all love.
COWENS: It's a heck of a bargain! You get access to the Health South facilities to work out, Deborah Cardiovascular Center, and the opportunity to go to All-Star Weekend and the Joint Meeting. For $150, I don't think you can find a better deal!
DEBUSSCHERE: To be part of an organization to be in a position to say thank you to a sport and to fellow players who have gone before them to pave the highway so to speak.
ROBERTSON: I take the position that if you want to get involved and make changes you have to be in the meeting. We might not ever get 100 percent participation. There are some current basketball players that think they are making those million dollars because they are great basketball players. They don't realize that it's because of the work that the other players did before them who made it possible for them to get the big payday. I would like to see people have some more dialogue. I'd like to get the players who are really committed to the goals and philosophies of the NBRPA to get involved and make changes. You have to be involved to facilitate change!
Founder Dave Bing is elected Mayor of Detroit.