NBA LEAGUE

The league’s

organizational form

The NBA does not operate as a corporation, limited partnership,
or limited liability company. Its legal structure is established by two private agreements. 

The league’s constitution formally refers to itself as an “Association.” The NBA’s organizational form affects the rights and duties of member team-owners and the board of governors. This inquiry also supports the conclusion that the NBA commissioner owes no legal duties to its employees.

The NBA’s organizational form is divided into five groups: Basketball Communications, Business Communications, International Communications, and Information Technology. Basketball Communications is responsible for basketball media relations. It manages and institutes league and team media policies. It also coordinates the media operations for all major events. Business Communications supports the NBA’s media relations efforts worldwide, including the league’s player development, social responsibility, and marketing programs. International Communications is responsible for supporting the media relations efforts of NBA regional offices in other countries. Finally, the NBA’s Human Resources Department supports the organization’s human resources information system (HRIS), which provides data for important business decisions.