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Inception of the Reserve Clause
The Reserve Clause has its' origins at the conclusion of the 1879 National League Season for baseball. In essence, it tied players to teams unless the team chose to trade, sell, or release the player. It gave teams and owners full control over the player, and gave the player no choice about where to play. Established in baseball, it spread to other sports as they popularized and organized. -
First Amateur Draft
The first draft where high school and collegiate athletes are selected by teams to play for them takes place. The NBL and BAA are still separate, but there is one draft to try to evenly distribute players. -
Foundation of the NBA
After a damaging 3 year battle to win fans and players over, the rival Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) merge to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). -
Foundation of the ABA
The ABA was founded in 1967, and led to very little initial success. Within 3 years, the ABA was in talks to merge with the NBA. Oscar Robertson's lawsuit stalled the process, but the settlement led to the merger of the two leagues in 1976. -
First CBA
The first Collective Bargaining Agreement on any of the professional sports was signed in baseball in 1968. It is the first time that players represented by agents and unions have bargained with owners. -
Oscar Robertson v. National Basketball Association
Oscar Robertson was unhappy with the fact that the players had no power to decide who they wanted to play for. He then filed suit against the league to end the option clause, which bound a player to their team as long as the team desired to keep them. The suit also initially blocked the NBA-ABA merger on grounds of violating anti-trust laws. -
Curt Flood's Lawsuit
At the end of the 1969 season, Curt Flood is traded from St. Louis to Philadelphia. Refusing to move, he sues the ML owners over the reserve clause. The Case is taken to the Supreme Court. Flood loses the case, but it results in sweeping changes in the MLB, which eventually spill over into other sports, such as the NBA. -
Settlement in Robertson v. NBA
A settlement is reached between Oscar Robertson and the league. It allowed players the freedom of movement and higher, more lavish salaries. The freedom of players to move between teams began the battle for the services of the league's top talents. The NBA-ABA merger is approved. -
NBA Salary Cap
The NBA salary cap was established in 1984 to level the playing field between teams and create competitive balance for high and low revenue producing teams. Teams were limited to $3.6 million in total payroll. -
First NBA Unrestricted Free Agent Signed
Tom Chambers signs with the Phoenix Suns. -
1995-6 Lockout and CBA
This important CBA loosened the rules of free agency to more closely represent free agency as we know it today. -
NBA CBA
Teams were capped at 57% basketball-related income, and that number decreased to 51.2% in 2011. -
Designated Player Contract Extension was established
A designated player coming off his contract may be eligible to earn 30% of the salary cap (rather than the standard 25%). There's a strict criteria needed to be eligible for this. This is also known as the Derrick Rose Rule. -
NBA Lockout
This is the 4th lockout in NBA history concluded on 12/8/2011. The rest of the season was reduced to 48 games. -
NBA Restricted Free Agency
Teams are now given 3 days to match an offer, and if they don't want to match the offer the player is signed by the offering team. Prior to this change it was a 7 day period. -
NBA Rookie Contracts
Rookies are now given 2 year base contracts with a team option for a 3rd year; prior to this it was a 3 year contract with an option of a 4th year. Rookie Scale Contract slotted based on draft position. -
Adam Silver Elected Commissioner
A progressive, transformative commissioner by the name of Adam Silver was elected in 2014, replacing David Stearn. His work has led to many changes that have benefited the players and their pay. -
NBA's Current CBA
The NBA and NBAPA agreed on a new CBA through the 2023-24 season. -
NBA Salary Cap Sees Increase
The salary cap increased from $70 million and a $84.74 million luxury tax limit to $94.14 million and a $113.29 million luxury tax limit -
NBA Basketball Related Income Increases
The NBA BRI increases to 90%, giving players their fair share of the money created by the league -
Steph Curry
Signed the first SuperMax contract
