By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Euroleague Players Association (ELPA) becomes the newest member of the World Players Association (World Players). World Players serves as the exclusive global voice of organized athletes across professional sport, representing over 85,000 professional women and men from almost 140 players associations in nearly 70 countries. World Players exists to ensure that the independent voice of player and athlete associations is recognized and respected in the governance of each sport.
The acceptance of ELPA among the membership of World Players highlights ELPA’s role as a leading player representative body in European basketball.
“We are absolutely delighted to join the ranks of World Players”, said Alexander Engelhard, ELPA General Secretary. “The speed of development of ELPA over the last years has been incredible and the acceptance of ELPA among the leading players associations in the world is another testament to the maturity of our organization. The challenging governance landscape of European basketball needs a strong players’ voice and our affiliation to World Players will help us exercise this role in the best interest of the players.”
“We are thrilled to welcome the ELPA on board as one of our newest affiliates”, said Matthew Graham, Head of UNI World Players. “Their efforts to organize players and bargain on a transnational basis are a powerful example for other sports in an increasingly globalized sport industry. Moreover, basketball is a critically important global sport and with this affiliation there is an opportunity to deepen coordination and elevate the voice of basketball players worldwide.”
World Players approved ELPA’s affiliation following an extensive review process by the World Players Executive Committee and staff, which includes leaders from players associations across multiple sports, including the NBPA, NFLPA, WNBPA, MLBPA, FIFPRO, EU Athletes and others.
ELPA would like to extend its congratulations to the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which has been admitted as a new member to World Players alongside ELPA.