NBPA memo to players details a ‘doomsday pay provision’ clause in the CBA

As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski the National Basketball Players Association, in a correspondence to players addressing the uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s indefinite suspension of play, spelled out terms of a doomsday provision included in the collective bargaining agreement that could free owners from paying players a percentage of their salaries should the rest of the season be lost to the coronavirus pandemic.

The CBA includes a clause called the force majeure event clause that includes multiple dramatic scenarios, including epidemics, that the league could trigger in the event of a worst-case scenario. Other instances that could trigger the clause include natural disasters and war. The next scheduled paycheck for players comes on Sunday, and those will be fulfilled.