Since its entry into force in 2005, the Collective Bargaining Agreement for professional basketball allows LNB players to benefit from a 7-day break including either December 25 or January 1 of the current season. This truce must be negotiated between the social partners. This provision has moreover been reinforced since the Law of November 27, 2015.
During the various joint meetings held during the 2018-2019 season, the LNB expressed its difficulties in organizing the calendar for the 2019-2020 season. Four issues had been identified at the time:
-the dates of the World Cup;
-the FIBA windows of November and February;
-the dates of the French Cup;
-the Olympic Qualification Tournament.
In order to allow the Jeep Elite days to be held properly and to avoid duplication as much as possible, the LNB asked the SNB to consider an “exceptional suspension” of the winter break for the 2019-2020 season. Despite an initial unanimous refusal by Jeep Elite players, a compromise was finally reached. In order to compensate for the exceptional suspension of this truce, it was agreed that the players could benefit from two periods of four days off, including a first period between December 25 and January 1 and a second, freely decided by the employers and communicated to the players before October 31, 2019.
An oral agreement has been reached between the players, but no amendment has been signed and filed by the social partners.
FIBA RESHUFFLES THE DECK
At the beginning of July, by announcing the suppression of the November international window, FIBA has allowed to re-launch the discussions on the organization of the 2019-2020 calendar. Indeed, the disappearance of the window profoundly modifies the structure of the calendar and thus allows the maintenance of the entire conventional break.
On July 5, 2019, the SNB therefore informed the LNB of its refusal to sign this amendment and proposed balanced arrangements so that neither the NBL, nor the players, are harmed by this extended season.
For example, the players of ASVEL will be able to play potentially 96 games this season, the players of Dijon 77 games and those of Limoges up to 80. All this, without counting the international games!
Despite the proposals made by the SNB, on Friday, July 12, 2019, the LNB published the Jeep Elite schedule for the 2019-2020 season, ignoring the mandatory agreement of the social partners to a waiver of conventional vacations.
Amara SY, President of the SNB, informed all the captains of Jeep Elite of the progress of discussions and in particular the outcome of the meeting held on August 8 with Mr. Alain Béral where it was also an opportunity to recall the importance of protecting the health of players.
In view of the lack of solutions proposed by the LNB, the captains have therefore decided to meet this Friday, September 6, 2019 to review the situation and consider the follow-up to the action of the SNB.
This meeting is scheduled the day after the LNB Steering Committee which will take place on Thursday, September 5 with, we hope, new elements.