The Spikeball Roundnet Players Union - SRPU

Timeline and Updates - 7/27/20

By Tom Witt - Roundnet World

- IN THIS ARTICLE -

Spikeball Roundnet Players Union Timeline

Examples of Unions in Other Pro Sports

Questions for the Future

SRPU

The Spikeball Roundnet Players Union (SRPU) was formed sometime in early July 2020.

The person spearheading the process seemed to be Dylan Fogarty, seventh ranked roundnet player in the world and perennial top level competitor. 

Union Statement

As seen on an Instagram post on July 5th on @roundnetprotraining re-posted from @venom_roundnet -

"An organization dedicated to providing more opportunities for player growth, player travel, and to represent the player vision as we head into the future."

SRPU TimeLine

July 5 - SRPU announces formation on Instagram (IG) live - @venomroundnet

July 13th - reported that Dylan Fogarty beats out Utah Roundnet leader Taylor Sanford in the vote for inaugural SRPU president

July 27th - The SRPU board members are announced - determined by vote - unsure of voters at time of publishing

• Preston Bies

• Andrew Card 

• Ryan Fitzgerald

• Taylor Sanford

• Jordi Vigna

Examples of Players Unions in Pro Sports

From Rutgers Library - Labor Relations and the Sports Industry: Sports Unions + Leagues

• Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA)

  The MLBPA is the collective bargaining representative for all current Major League Baseball players, and also assists players with grievances and salary arbitration. See the MLBPA Info Tab for the text of the Major Agreement and history of the association.
• Major League Soccer Players Association

  The Major League Soccer Players Association serves to empower "the players by establishing a supportive community and unified voice that positively impacts the lives of our past, current and future members."
• National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA)

  The National Basketball Officials Association (NBOA) was founded in 1973 due to labor conditions that National Basketball Association (NBA) referees deemed as unfit. At the time, the informal union believed that their salary and benefits were grossly inadequate. It was not until 1977 that the union became known as the National Association of Basketball Referees (NABR). Today, they are the National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA).
• National Football League Players Association (NFLPA)

  The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League.
• National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA)

  The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) is the labour union for the professional hockey players in the National Hockey League. Established in 1967, and with headquarters in Toronto, the NHLPA’s principal role is to represent the players of the National Hockey League and to guarantee that their rights as players are upheld under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• NBA Players Association (NBPA)

  The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA mission is to ensure that the rights of NBA players are protected and that every conceivable measure is taken to assist players in maximizing their opportunities and achieving their goals, both on and off the court.
• NHL Officials Association

  The NHLOA (National Hockey League Officials' Association), was born in 1969 out of a need to improve working conditions, salaries and other benefits for officials of the National Hockey League. All members are all active Officials under contract to the NHL who are working in the NHL and designated minor leagues.
• Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA)

  The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) is an association of independent members that seeks to represent professional soccer referees in the United States and Canada including Major League Soccer (MLS), Womens Professional Soccer (WPS) and United Soccer Leagues (USL
• Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA)

  The WNBPA is the first and only labor union comprised of professional female athletes.

  

Top Athletes Fight For Player Rights

There have been countless examples of professional athletes putting their career at risk to fight for player rights. Here is an example outlined in "The Rise of Labor Unions in Pro Sports" by Michael Macklon

"According to the NBAPA, "Before the union's inception … there was no pension plan, no per diem, no minimum wage, no health benefits and the average player salary was $8,000."

In 1954, the league's top player, Bob Cousy, worked to organize other influential players around the league and they threatened to pull out of the 1955 all-star game if NBA president Maurice Podoloff refused their demands.

This brought some concessions from the owners and eventually led to official bargaining between the league and the union in 1957.

Some early victories for the union included a $7 per diem, moving expenses for players traded mid-season, and a bigger cut of playoff revenues. Strangely, they did not demand to wear longer shorts."

Quote from SRPU Board Member and Pro Roundnet Player - Andrew Card

"This will be a huge step forward for the sport.

Up until now players voices have been disjointed and disorganized on issues we care about, but this will provide an avenue for unity in voice and action and ultimately change for the better in our sport."

- Andrew Card (Facebook Comment Link)

Questions and Thoughts Going Into The Future

What issues will the SRPU take on SHORT TERM and LONG TERM?

How were the board and president voted on initially? How will they be voted on in the future?

Who will be eligible to be in the players union? On the board?

How will the SRPU impact roundnet fans?

Will the SRPU be able to keep the word 'Spikeball' in their name?

Spike On!

-Tom Witt

Check the links for more roundnet articles!

'Roundnet World Blog - Roundnet Player/Community Profiles'

'Roundnet World - Be A Better Baller Blog'

‘Witt Roundnet Round-Up’ 

References

1. Rutgers Library - Labor Relations and the Sports Industry: Sports Unions + Leagues

2. "The Rise of Labor Unions in Pro Sports" by Michael Macklon, 2019

Who Is Tom Witt?

Hi, I'm Tom! I am the editor of the Roundnet World blogs!

I have been playing roundnet since about 2011! 

I have been ranked as high in the 'Spikeball' world as 2nd wayyyy back in the day as team 'Chico Orchards'! 

While being fortunate enough to travel to over 25 states - I have been ranked in the top 25 nationally with partners such as Spikeball Roundnet NATIONAL CHAMP - Preston Bies and Australian NATIONAL CHAMP - Mike Eberhardt. As well as being the former partner of 3x NATIONAL CHAMP - Skyler Boles. 

I earned my bachelors and masters degrees in kinesiology from Chico State University!  #ChicoYouKnow - Where I published the FIRST EVER peer-reviewed study on roundnet, "A descriptive study of roundnet". 

I like sports, breakfast foods, and ice cream!

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