NBA: Michele Roberts becomes first woman to lead players' union for North American league

Michele Roberts (USA) was elected executive director of the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association), the union for players in the NBA (National Basketball Association, North America), on 29/07/2014.

She got 32 of the 36 votes of the NBPA executive committee and players representing franchises meeting on that day in Las Vegas (United States). This is the first time a woman will have this role in a North American sports league, the NBA said.

Michele Roberts is a lawyer specialised in civil and financial crime. Before her election on 29/07/2014, she was at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, the largest U.S. law firm (over 4,500 employees).

She is succeeding Ron Klempner (USA), the acting executive director, who had himself replaced Billy Hunter, who was dismissed by the NBPA in February 2013. More than 300 candidates applied for the post, the NBA said on 29/07/2014.

Michele Roberts will lead the next wage negotiations with the NBA

• A new collective agreement between the NBA and the NBPA should be implemented in 2017, the NBA announced on 29/07/2014.
• The latest agreement…