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via Yahoo Sports
Deputy executive director Roger Mason is leaving the National Basketball Players Association to become president and commissioner of a new professional basketball league for retired NBA players, The Vertical has learned.
Mason’s departure comes at the conclusion of the union’s negotiations for a new seven-year Collective Bargaining Agreement, which sources say will be ratified Friday with the final tally of player voting due.
Mason, who had a 10-year NBA playing career, has played a sizable part in the NBPA’s transition under executive director Michele Roberts. Mason spearheaded the union’s movement to provide tens of millions of dollars in health care and increased benefits to retired and elderly ex-players. Mason has been a strong conduit to the league stars – as well as the rank-and-file players – in the rebuilding of the players association.
Mason is partnering with film actor and rapper Ice Cube and investors to bring a summertime league called the BIG3 – a three-on-three, half-court basketball league – to cities and venues starting in June.
