The entire Board of Directors of the National Union of Basketball Players expresses its firm opposition to the proposed amendment (No. 673) to the bill “for the freedom to choose one’s professional future”, the purpose of which is to extend the first professional contract for athletes from 3 to 5 years.
It is our duty to opt for a constructive dialogue in order to think about the question of the training of young people, without omitting the participation of the main concerned people, the sportsmen.
“Unfortunately, the norm in basketball is rather one-year contracts. If we go with this amendment, young players will be in a totally disproportionate situation compared to other professionals.
We must not forget either that players are potentially already “stuck” in their club for 6 years (4 years of aspirant contract then 2 years of trainee contract). By extending the first professional contract to 5 years, their commitment with their training clubs could extend to 11 years. We have already done better in terms of freedom of movement of workers,” says Amara Sy.