During a recent interview with Heavy On Sport’s Steve Bulpett, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce shared his thoughts on the player empowerment era in the league. Pierce noted that he’s unsure of whether the movement is good for the NBA but understands why the players have sought to control their own destinies as best as possible.
Over the past decade, player empowerment has been a topic sweeping the NBA. Players have begun to take control of their own narratives. They force their way out of situations they’re unhappy with. They control their own image via social media. And they’ve become keen negotiators when it comes time to discuss contracts.
“I’m not so sure how good it is for the game,” Pierce said. “But at the same time, players have learned that they control their own destiny for the most part…If your best player or one of your best players says he wants out, how does that look when you’re trying to market your team to your public, when you’re trying to sell tickets and get people to watch your local TV games? Owners are like, hey, the only people bound by contracts now are us. Players don’t feel any sense of obligation by contract.”
Pierce spent 19 years in the NBA; he understands how the business side of the league works and how front offices and ownership groups operate. Player empowerment has been about creating a fair and even playing field.
Whether the balance of power has shifted too far in the other direction remains open for debate.
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