Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsTuesday, June 23, 2026

NBAPA wants to use new TV money to cover health insurance for former players

The NBAPA is putting the league’s new TV money to good use.

Pete Marovich/Getty Images
Ricky O'Donnell
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.

The NBA is flush with new television revenue, and the players association has come up with one uplifting way to spend it. The NBAPA is hoping to use the new TV money to get health insurance coverage for former players, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The plan would cost between $10-15 million per year.

The league is aiming to offer three separate health care options to former players, according to Wojnarowski. Michele Roberts, the new head of the NBAPA, was reportedly moved by stories of former players being unable to afford basic health care needs after years of sacrificing their bodies for the good of the league. The union is reportedly ready to pass the plan and start covering former players soon.

The league’s new TV money will come into effect in 2016, and will give the NBA $2.6 billion. The salary cap is set to explode starting next season, which means an increase in both team revenue and player salaries. Now some of this money will be set aside for former players who helped make the NBA what it is before so much new cash entered the league.

See More:

More in NBA

From SBNationExternal Link
Vote: Did the Heat give up too much for Giannis?Vote: Did the Heat give up too much for Giannis?
From SBNationExternal Link
By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
Giannis Antetokounmpo has ascended the pantheon to become the Greek God of unlikeabilityGiannis Antetokounmpo has ascended the pantheon to become the Greek God of unlikeability
NBA
NBA mock draft 2026: Final projection after Giannis trade lands Bucks another lottery pickNBA mock draft 2026: Final projection after Giannis trade lands Bucks another lottery pick
NBA

Here’s our final projection of the 2026 NBA Draft.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade grades for Heat, Bucks after blockbuster for former MVPGiannis Antetokounmpo trade grades for Heat, Bucks after blockbuster for former MVP
NBA

Let’s grade the Giannis blockbuster for the Bucks and the Heat.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox problem only has 1 good solution, and it’s not trading himThe Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox problem only has 1 good solution, and it’s not trading him
NBA

Here’s what the Spurs should do with De’Aaron Fox.

By Mat Issa
NBA
NBA Draft’s 60 best players in 2026 class, rankedNBA Draft’s 60 best players in 2026 class, ranked
NBA

Let’s rank the 60 best players in the 2026 NBA Draft.

By Ricky O'Donnell