This year will be the last of Rick Carlisle. Not in coaching, but as head of the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA), the league's coaches' union.
“ I'm in my 19th year. Next year will be my 20th year. This will be my last year. I told them it was time to pass the baton to someone else. The term is usually three years. There was a transition period between David (Stern) and Adam (Silver), so I kind of stayed “, Pacers coach summarizes for NBA.comwho succeeded Lenny Wilkens.
Staying so long at the head of this structure, much less publicized than its equivalent among the players, allowed him to observe an evolution in the working conditions of his counterparts. Example: retirement pensions, which were the ” main problem ” when he took the post in 2005.
In negotiation with the owners
” They had not been increased for many years. It was a difficult subject. We had to find a way to convince the owners that this was the right time to do it. “, remembers the technician who had to negotiate with Micky Arison, owner of the Heat and head of the owners' council at the time.
” We had a very good meeting with him and he helped us get the message out. In the fall, we got our first raise in 15 years. That was in 2007 and since then, we've had some pension increases. It has taken a different form, but it is the best of all professional coaching associations. “, rejoices Rick Carlisle.
In 2008, Sports Illustrated reported that the new agreement would allow coaches and executives to receive pensions of up to $160,000 per year for 15 or more years of service in the NBA.
Behind Baseball Back in the Day
The annual coaches' pension was previously $125,000, which left the NBA far behind the pensions of football coaches ($180,000) and baseball coaches ($185,000). In 2005, the union had requested an increase in the stipend to $150,000, but the proposal was postponed because owners questioned the overall cost.
Today, the league's money is flowing freely and salary conditions have never been better. Steve Kerr will become the highest paid coach in the history of the league, with an annual salary of $17.5 million! Behind the Warriors' strategist, Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra or Tyronn Lue all earn more than $13 million.
The union can therefore rub its hands with glee. Over the years, we've really worked, we've had the opportunity to meet with Adam privately. Last year, three things were important to us – I don't want to mention them, but two have been accomplished and the third is in progress. It's important to continue the conversations. “, concludes Rick Carlisle, holder of a four-year contract for 29 million dollars.
