The EuroLeague Players Association (ELPA) was represented at the inaugural World Players Institute (WPI) Conference, held on October 27–28, 2026, at LinkedIn’s offices in Dublin, Ireland.
ELPA Managing Director Boštjan Nachbar and Head of Player Programs and Career Development Beatriz Roca joined representatives of player associations, academics and sports industry professionals from around the world for two days of discussions focused on strengthening the role of research in advancing athletes’ rights and professional development.
Organized by the World Players Institute in partnership with the Gaelic Players Association, WPI 2026 provided a platform for connecting academic research with the practical needs and priorities of player associations.
A central theme of the conference was the importance of ensuring that athletes have a stronger voice in the decisions shaping their professional lives. As professional sport continues to expand, with growing revenues, increasingly demanding schedules and an ever-evolving global landscape, the need for effective player representation and collective bargaining has become more important than ever.
For ELPA, participation in the conference represented an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences with fellow player associations, explore new research initiatives and identify ways to translate evidence into meaningful improvements for professional basketball players.
Through its continued engagement with international player organisations and research institutions, ELPA remains committed to strengthening player representation, promoting evidence-based solutions and contributing to a more sustainable professional environment for basketball players.
