The NBA Players Association finally has a replacement for Billy Hunter as executive director. The NBPA Executive Committee recommended D.C. attorney Michele Roberts for the job, and a vote from the Players Association made it official early Tuesday morning. The decision to name Roberts executive director did not come without controversy.
Jerry Stackhouse says vote is being "rammed down our throats." Says Exec committee recommended Michele Roberts, but not sure they have votes
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 29, 2014
The vote capped a wild day of meetings for the Players Association, which went 17 months without a successor to Hunter. Roberts was one of three candidates considered for the job, along with Mavericks CEO Terdema Ussery and Dean Garfield, the CEO of Information Technology Industry Council.
The night began with top agents pushing against the three finalists and urging their clients not to vote. Each of the candidates eventually received 45 minutes for a presentation. Still, there was pressure on the players to abstain.
Another player in the NBPA meeting room texts Yahoo: "This is a cluster. They're trying to slam a director down our throats."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 29, 2014
In the end, Roberts gathered 32 out of 34 votes to be elected, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.