Agent Leon Rose in trouble for going against the player's union – NBA Update
This Wednesday, October 5, a teleconference was carried out by agents. In the meet, they discussed ways which to help the union in its strife with owners over the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
This move comes as a surprise, because it comes after some strong reports that the agents want the players to decertify to the National Basketball Player Association (NBPA). In fact, in a recent letter, they had urged the players
to stick to their guns and not bow down in the face of pressure tactics by the league. Stand up for your rights was the message they had delivered.
However, the conference between agents has an underlying reason. That reason is Richard Hamilton.
This letter however did not go well with some of the players and they have threatened to fire their agents. The reason for this was that the players deemed it as an “anti-union” move.
The 6 ft 7 shooting guard from Detroit Pistons, Rip Hamilton was one such player and he has suggested his agent to back down. According to a source, Rip is not happy that Leon Rose, his agent, participated in the letter and warned
him he will leave and take other players with him, if Rose does not leave the anti-union group.
However, Rose has completely denied the news.
“100 percent untrue, never happened”. He said
Arn Tellem, Bill Duffy, Dan Fegan, Jeff Schwartz, Henry Thomas, Mark Bartelstein and Leon Rose are the agents who orchestrated the letter. Leon Rose is the predominating behemoth of basketball agency as he represents the giants
including Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Chris Paul.
Agent’s job is only to represent their players and not to force them into a decision. However, if the player’s pay is reduced, agent’s percentage drops too and that is the prime reason they are persuading players not to cave in
to owners or the union Director Billy Hunter.
It is a good sign that players have stood up against them. Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups are the first two players to take this stand but soon other will probably join them too.
It will be fair to say, that the conference call is the first step, agent have taken in the right direction, all summer.
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