The NBA board of governors recently voted to implement stricter resting policy rules and punishments for star players who choose to sit out games. This includes games on national television and in-season tournaments. The league’s objective is to increase player participation and limit the number of missed games. The new rules could result in fines of over $1 million for teams that violate the resting rules.
The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, has been determined to bolster player participation as the league negotiates a new media rights deal. The initial resting policies were introduced in the 2017-18 season, and new regulations now state that players must participate in at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for postseason awards. The league has defined a star player as someone who has made the All-Star or All-NBA teams in any of the three previous seasons.
The new resting policy will affect a significant number of teams and players in the NBA. A total of 25 teams and 50 players, which accounts for around 11% of the league, will be impacted by the rules. Fifteen teams have multiple players who have received All-NBA or All-Star Game honors in the past three seasons. It’s worth noting that the list of impacted players may change after the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
The NBA will enforce a fines system for teams that fail to comply with the resting policy. The fines will start at $100,000 for first offenses, $250,000 for second offenses, and subsequent fines will increase by $1 million more than the previous penalty. The league will determine the enforcement of these policies through investigations, which may include independent medical reviews.
The new policy outlines several areas that teams must adhere to regarding resting star players:
1. Managing the Roster: Teams cannot have more than one star player unavailable for the same game, unless both players are injured.
2. National Television and In-Season Tournaments: Star players must be available for games televised nationally and in-season tournaments.
3. Balance between Home and Road Games: Teams must maintain a balance in the number of one-game absences for star players in home and road games. Preferably, absences should occur in home games to avoid any potential investigations by the league.
4. Long-Term Shutdowns: Teams must refrain from any long-term shutdowns or reduced roles for star players that may compromise the integrity of the game.
5. Visibility to Fans: If a healthy player is resting for a game, they must be present and visible to fans.
The NBA has outlined several exceptions that allow teams to seek approval for a star player to miss a back-to-back game. These exceptions include:
1. Age or Career Workload: Players who are 35 years old on opening night or have significant career workloads can be granted pre-approved designated back-to-back allowances.
2. Player’s Health: If a team believes a star player is unable to participate in back-to-back games due to injury concerns, they must provide written information to the NBA at least one week in advance.
3. Unusual Injury History: Approval can be sought for a star player to be unavailable for one end of a back-to-back based on prior or unusual injury history.
4. Bona-Fide Injury, Personal Reasons, and Rare Circumstances: Multi-game absences due to legitimate injuries, personal reasons, and rare or unusual circumstances are allowed.
5. Roster Management: Teams may rest star players strategically for roster management purposes or to maintain flexibility at the end of the season.
The NBA’s approval of tougher resting policy rules aims to increase player participation and minimize the number of games missed by star players. With fines exceeding $1 million for teams that violate the rules, the league hopes to ensure that star players are available for important games, televised events, and in-season tournaments. These new regulations will have a significant impact on a substantial number of teams and players in the NBA.
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