The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association reported today that they have agreed on a principle at the beginning of the 2020-21 season, as well as changes in accordance with specific provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement is dependent upon a vote by the league’s Board of Governors.
The parties have concurred on a principle to the following:
- The 2020-21 season will start on Tuesday, December 22;
- The 2020-21 season will include each team playing a 72-game schedule. The full regular-season and broadcast schedules will be released at a future date;
- A new system will be used to guarantee the parties’ agreed-upon split of basketball-related income (BRI). In the event player remuneration were to surpass the players’ assigned share in any season, important salary decreases beyond the standard 10% escrow would be spread over that season and possibly the following two seasons, subject to a maximum salary decrease in any season of 20%;
- For the 2020-21 season, the Salary Cap will be $109.140 million and the Tax Level will be $132.627 million. In the resulting seasons of the CBA, the Salary Cap and Tax Level will increment by at least three percent and a maximum of 10% over the earlier season. Teams’ Tax payments will be diminished in proportion to any BRI diminishes; and
- Free operator negotiations will start on November 20 at 6 p.m. (ET), with signings beginning at 12:01 p.m. (ET) on November 22.
