Washington, D.C. attorney Michele Roberts was named as the new executive director of the National Basketball Players Association. Roberts is the first woman to head up a major North American Sports Union under this appointment.
Previous executive director Billy Hunter was ousted by the players for a series of alleged misappropriations shortly after the players and league agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Roberts was elected by 32 of the 36 player representatives, making her a barrier-breaker and also a neophyte in what has been a contentious relationship over the past several years. The NBA has sustained two major work stoppages over the past 16 years, including a 66-game lockout-marred season in 2011-12.
Roberts officially begins Sept. 15 and said she will meet with players over the next several weeks.
