ELPA joins an exclusive list of members, including NBPA, WNBPA, FIFPRO and others who have fought for players’ interests for decades
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.
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About ELPA
EuroLeague Players’ Association represents the players’ unified voice in regards to EuroLeague Basketball and assists their members in achieving their goals, on and off the court. Through collective bargaining with Euroleague Basketball and the EuroLeague clubs, ELPA seeks to achieve a higher level of protection of players’ individual and collective rights and to improve the working conditions, economic benefits, and job security of all its members.
In collaboration with specialists in various sports fields, ELPA provides support for players’ physical and mental well-being. ELPA also engages in organisational, financial, educational, and marketing activities which advance the economic stability and security of its members. To learn more, visit www.elpa.basketball and follow @ELPA on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
About the World Players Association:
The World Players Association is the exclusive global voice of organised players and athletes across professional sport. It brings together 85,000 players through more than 100 players associations in over 60 countries. Its role is to ensure that the voice of organised players is heard at the highest levels in the decision-making of international sport. The World Players Association was formally established in December 2014 as an autonomous sector of UNI Global Union (UNI).
