ARTICLE XXXIII:
ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM
INDEX
Section 1. Definitions
Section 2. Administration
Section 3. Confidentiality
Section 4. Testing
Section 5. Reasonable Cause Testing or Hearing
Section 6. Random Testing
Section 7. Drugs of Abuse Program
Section 8. Marijuana Program
Section 9. Steroids, Performance-Enhancing
Drugs and Masking Agents Program
Section 10. Noncompliance with
Treatment
Section 11. Dismissal and Disqualification
Section 12. Reinstatement
Section 13. Exclusivity of the
Program
Section 14. Additional Bases
for Testing
Section 15. Additional Prohibited
Substances
Section
1. Definitions.
As used in this Article XXXIII, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Authorization for Testing” shall mean
a notice issued by the Independent Expert pursuant to
the provisions of Section 5 below, in the form annexed
hereto as Exhibit I-1 to this Agreement.
(b) “Come Forward Voluntarily” shall mean
that a player has directly communicated to the NBA,
the Players Association, or the Medical Director his
desire to enter the Program and seek treatment for a
problem involving the use of a Prohibited Substance.
(c) “Counselors” or “Anti-Drug Counselors”
shall mean the persons selected by the Medical Director
to provide counseling and other treatment to players
in the Program.
(d) “Diuretics” shall mean any of the substances
listed as diuretics on Exhibit I-2 to this Agreement.
(e) “Drugs of Abuse” shall mean any of the
substances listed as drugs of abuse on Exhibit I-2 to
this Agreement.
(f) “Drugs of Abuse Program” shall mean
(i) the testing program for Drugs of Abuse set forth
in this Article XXXIII, and (ii) the education, treatment,
and counseling program for Drugs of Abuse established
by the Medical Director (after consultation with the
NBA and the Players Association), which may contain
such elements—including, but not limited to, urine,
blood, breath, or other testing for Prohibited Substances
other than SPEDs—as may be determined by the Medical
Director in his or her professional judgment.
(g) “First-Year Player” shall mean a player
under Contract to an NBA Team who, prior to the then-current
Season, has not been on the roster of an NBA Team following
the first game of a Regular Season.
(h) “In-Patient Facility” shall mean such
treatment center or other facility as may be selected
by the Medical Director and agreed upon by the NBA and
the Players Association.
(i) “Independent Expert” or “Expert”
shall mean the person selected by the NBA and the Players
Association in accordance with Section 2(b) below.
(j) “Marijuana Program” shall mean (i) the
testing program for marijuana set forth in this Article
XXXIII, and (ii) the education, treatment, and counseling
program for marijuana established by the Medical Director
(after consultation with the NBA and the Players Association),
which may contain such elements—including, but
not limited to, urine, blood, breath, or other testing
for Prohibited Substances other than SPEDs—as
may be determined by the Medical Director in his or
her professional judgment.
(k) “Medical Director” shall mean the person
selected by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance
with Section 2(a) below.
(l) “Prohibited Substance” shall mean any
of the substances listed on Exhibit I-2 to this Agreement
and any other substance added to such Exhibit under
the provisions of Section 15 below.
(m) “Program” shall mean this Anti-Drug
Program, and shall include the Drugs of Abuse Program,
the Marijuana Program, and the SPED Program.
(n) “Prohibited Substances Committee” shall
mean the committee selected by the NBA and the Players
Association in accordance with Section 2(d) below.
(o) “SPED” shall mean any of the steroids,
performance-enhancing drugs and masking agents listed
on Exhibit I-2 to this Agreement.
(p) “SPED Program” shall mean the (i) testing
program for SPEDs set forth in this Article XXXIII,
and (ii) the education, treatment, and counseling program
for SPEDs established by the Medical Director (after
consultation with the NBA and the Players Association),
which may contain such elements—including, but
not limited to, urine, blood, breath or other testing
for SPEDs (but not for any other Prohibited Substance)—as
may be determined by the Medical Director in his or
her professional judgment.
(q) “Tender” shall mean an offer of a Uniform
Player Contract, signed by the Team, that is either
personally delivered to the player or his representative
or sent by prepaid certified, registered, or overnight
mail to the last known address of the player or his
representative.
(r) “Veteran Player” shall mean any player
who is not a First-Year Player.
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Section 2. Administration.
(a) The NBA and the Players Association shall jointly
select a Medical Director who shall be a person experienced
in the field of testing and treatment for substance
abuse. The Medical Director shall have the responsibility,
among other duties, for selecting and supervising the
Counselors and other personnel necessary for the effective
implementation of the Program, for evaluating and treating
players subject to the Program, and for otherwise managing
and overseeing the Program, subject to the control of
the NBA and the Players Association. To the extent practicable,
the Medical Director shall select qualified retired
NBA players to serve as Counselors.
(b) The NBA and the Players Association shall jointly
select an Independent Expert who shall be a person experienced
in the field of substance abuse detection and enforcement
and shall have the responsibility for issuing Authorizations
for Testing in accordance with Section 5 below.
(c) The Medical Director and the Independent Expert
shall each serve for the duration of this Agreement,
unless either the NBA or the Players Association has,
by September 1 of any year covered by this Agreement,
served written notice of discharge upon the other party
and, as appropriate, the Medical Director and/or the
Independent Expert. Such notice of discharge shall be
effective as of the immediately following September
30; provided, however, that if the parties do not reach
agreement by such September 30 as to who shall serve
thereafter as the Medical Director and/or the Independent
Expert, as the case may be, each party shall, by the
immediately following October 15, appoint a person who
shall have no relationship to or affiliation with that
party. Such persons shall then have until the immediately
following December 1 to agree on the appointment of
a new Medical Director and/or Independent Expert. Until
a new Medical Director and/or Independent Expert has
been appointed, the previous Medical Director and/or
Independent Expert shall continue to serve.
(d)
(i) The NBA and the Players Association shall form
a Prohibited Substances Committee, which shall be
comprised of one (1) representative from the NBA,
one (1) representative from the Players Association,
and three (3) individuals jointly selected by the
NBA and the Players Association who shall be experts
in the field of testing and treatment for drugs of
abuse and performance-enhancing substances. The members
of this Committee shall serve for the duration of
the Agreement.
(ii) The members of the Prohibited Substances Committee
shall meet (either in person or by conference call)
at least once each Season and once each Off-Season
(the "Annual Meetings"). The Annual Meetings
shall be scheduled by the NBA after consultation with
the NBPA. At the Annual Meetings, the Committee shall
review the Program's list of Prohibited Substances,
discuss general anti-doping issues (including, but
not limited to, advances in drug testing science and
technology, and modifications to relevant anti-doping
policies of other sports organizations). The Committee
shall also make recommendations to the NBA and NBPA
for changes to the list of Prohibited Substances (including
the determination of laboratory analysis cutoff levels).
(iii) As of September 1, 2005, and as of each successive
September 1, either of the parties to this Agreement
may discharge any jointly-selected member of the Prohibited
Substances Committee by serving thirty (30) days’
prior notice upon him and upon the other party to
this Agreement. In the case of such discharge, or
in the event a Committee member resigns, and if the
parties are unable to agree on a replacement Committee
member within thirty (30) days, then the parties shall
request a list of seven (7) names of potential replacements
prepared by the Medical Director and any remaining
joint-selected Committee members, and, within seven
(7) days, shall select the necessary replacement by
alternately striking names from the list until only
one (1) remains.
(e) Unless specifically stated otherwise in this Article
XXXIII, all costs of the Program in excess of those
covered by the NBA Players Group Health Plan, including
the fees and expenses of the Medical Director, the Independent
Expert, and the Prohibited Substances Committee shall
be shared equally by the NBA and Players Association.
The Players Association’s share shall be paid
by the NBA and included in Player Benefits under Article
IV, Section 5(j) of this Agreement. The fees and expenses
incurred by the NBA in conducting testing pursuant to
Sections 5 and 6 below shall be borne by the NBA.
(f) Any and all disputes arising under this Article
XXXIII shall be resolved in accordance with Article
XXXI, Sections 2-6 and 14 of this Agreement; provided,
however, that in any challenge to a decision, recommendation,
or other conduct of the Medical Director, Independent
Expert, or Prohibited Substances Committee, or in any
challenge to an action or process over which the Medical
Director has supervision, the Grievance Arbitrator shall
apply an “arbitrary and capricious” standard
of review; and provided further that nothing in this
Section 2(f) shall limit or otherwise affect paragraph
19 of the Uniform Player Contract.
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Section 3. Confidentiality.
(a) Other than as reasonably required in connection
with the suspension or disqualification of a player,
the NBA, the Teams, and the Players Association, and
all of their members, affiliates, agents, consultants,
and employees, are prohibited from publicly disclosing
information about the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis,
test results, compliance, or the fact of participation
of a player in the Program (“Program Information”).
If a player is suspended or disqualified for conduct
involving a Drug of Abuse or marijuana, the NBA shall
not publicly disclose the particular Prohibited Substance
involved, absent the agreement of the Players Association
or the prior disclosure of such information by the player
(or by a person authorized by the player to disclose
such information). If a player is suspended or disqualified
for conduct involving a SPED, the particular SPED shall
be publicly disclosed along with the announcement of
the applicable penalty.
(b) The Medical Director and the Counselors, and all
of their affiliates, agents, consultants, and employees,
are prohibited from publicly disclosing Program Information;
provided, however, that the Medical Director shall not
be prohibited from disclosing such information to the
NBA and the Players Association.
(c) The Independent Expert is prohibited from publicly
disclosing any information supplied to him by the NBA
or the Players Association pursuant to Section 5 below.
(d) Members of the Prohibited Substances Committee are
prohibited from publicly disclosing any information
obtained by them in connection with their duties as
Committee members. If a jointly-selected member of the
Committee violates this Section 3(d), he shall be immediately
discharged from the Committee.
(e) Any Program Information that is publicly disclosed
(i) under Section 3(a) above, (ii) by the player, (iii)
with the player’s authorization, or (iv) through
release by sources other than the NBA, NBA Teams, the
Players Association, the Medical Director, the Counselors,
the Independent Expert, or the Prohibited Substances
Committee, or any of their members, affiliates, agents,
consultants, and employees, will, after such disclosure,
no longer be subject to the confidentiality provisions
of this Section 3.
(f) Other than as reasonably required by the Reasonable
Cause Testing procedure set forth in Section 5 below,
neither the NBA nor the Players Association shall divulge
to any other person or entity (including their respective
members, affiliates, agents, consultants, employees,
and the player and Team involved):
(i) that it has received information regarding the
use, possession, or distribution of a Prohibited Substance
by a player;
(ii) that it is considering requesting, has requested,
or has had a conference with the Independent Expert
concerning the suspected use, possession, or distribution
of a Prohibited Substance by a player;
(iii) any information disclosed to the Independent
Expert; or
(iv) the results of any conference with the Independent
Expert.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in Section 3(a)-(f) above, the NBA and the Players Association
shall promptly advise and make available to each other
all information either of them may have in their possession,
custody, or control that provides cause to believe that
a player is engaged in the use, possession, or distribution
of a Prohibited Substance.
(h) Nothing contained in this Section 3 shall prohibit
a Team from providing to the NBA information concerning
whether a player is engaged in the use, possession,
or distribution of a Prohibited Substance.
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Section 4. Testing.
(a) Testing conducted pursuant to this Article XXXIII,
whether by the NBA or the Medical Director, shall be
conducted in compliance with scientifically accepted
analytical techniques. Such testing shall also comply
with the collection procedures described in Exhibit
I-3 to this Agreement and such additional procedures
and protocols as may be established by the NBA (after
consultation with the Players Association) or the Medical
Director (after consultation with the NBA and the Players
Association). The NBA and the Medical Director (after
consultation with the NBA and the Players Association)
are authorized to retain such consultants and support
services as are necessary and appropriate to administer
and conduct such testing.
(b) All tests conducted pursuant to this Article XXXIII
shall be analyzed by laboratories selected by the NBA
and the Players Association, approved by the Medical
Director, and certified by the World Anti-Doping Agency,
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA), or the International Olympic Committee.
(c) Any test conducted pursuant to this Article XXXIII
will be considered “positive” for a Prohibited
Substance under the following circumstances:
(i) If the test is for a Prohibited Substance other
than a SPED or Diuretic and it is confirmed by laboratory
analysis at the levels established at the time of
the test by SAMHSA; provided, however, if there is
no confirmatory level established by SAMHSA for one
or more of such Prohibited Substances at the time
of the test, then the level for such Prohibited Substance
shall be: amphetamines and their analogs—500
ng/ml; cocaine metabolites—150 ng/ml; LSD—200
pg/ml; marijuana metabolites—15 ng/ml; MDMA—500
ng/ml; opiate metabolites—2000 ng/ml; heroin
metabolite (6-acety1morphine)—10 ng/ml (only
if the opiate metabolites are in excess of 2000 ng/ml);
phencyclidine—25 ng/ml.
(ii) If the test is for a SPED, and it is confirmed
by laboratory analysis at the levels set forth in
Exhibit I-4.
(iii) If a player refuses to submit to a test or cooperate
fully with the testing process, without a reasonable
explanation satisfactory to the Medical Director;
provided, however, that the NBA will use its best
efforts (A) to have the drug testing collectors immediately
notify the NBA when any player refuses to submit to
a test or cooperate fully with the testing process,
and (B) to provide such information to the Players
Association as soon as possible thereafter; and provided,
further, that (C) following any player’s refusal
to submit to a test or failure to cooperate fully
with the testing process, the drug testing collector
shall wait ninety (90) minutes at the collection site,
and (D) if the player submits to the test and cooperates
fully with the testing process within such additional
time, then his earlier refusal or failure to cooperate
shall be excused and the test shall not be deemed
positive under this Section 4(c).
(iv) If the player fails to submit to a scheduled
test, without a reasonable explanation satisfactory
to the Medical Director.
(v) If the player attempts to substitute, dilute,
or adulterate a specimen sample or in any other manner
alter a test result (other than by testing positive
for a Diuretic).
(vi) If the test is positive for a Diuretic, and it
is confirmed by laboratory analysis at any detectable
level.
(d) The NBA shall promptly notify the Players Association
of any positive test conducted by the NBA, and shall
thereafter notify the player. The Medical Director shall
promptly notify the player of any positive test conducted
by the Medical Director; provided, however, that if
the positive test will result in a penalty to be imposed
on the player, the Medical Director shall notify the
NBA and the Players Association of the positive test
result and the NBA shall thereafter notify the player
of such result and such penalty.
(e) Any player who is notified of a positive test pursuant
to Section 4(d) above may, within five (5) business
days of such notification, inform the NBA and the Players
Association that he requests testing of the split or
“B” sample of his specimen. Any such test
shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 4
and shall be performed within ten (10) business days
of the player’s request. The test of the “B”
sample will be performed at a laboratory other than
the laboratory that performed the test on the original
or “A” sample.
(f) Any positive test pursuant to Sections 4(c)(i),
(ii), or (vi) above shall be reviewed by the Medical
Director. If the Medical Director determines, in his
professional judgment, that there is a valid alternative
medical explanation for such positive test result, then
the test shall be deemed negative.
(g) If the test result for any player is reported by
the laboratory as “invalid” “endogenous
steroids abnormally low or absent,” or a similar
designation, the NBA shall promptly notify the Players
Association, and shall thereafter notify the player.
In the event of such a test result, the player shall
be required to submit to another test on a date determined
by the NBA that is not more than thirty (30) days after
the date of the original test (the “Re-Test”).
If the Re-Test results in (i) a positive test for a
Drug of Abuse or a positive test under Section 4(c)(iii),
(iv) or (v) above, the player shall be immediately be
dismissed and disqualified from any association with
the NBA or its Teams in accordance with the provisions
of Section 11(a) below; (ii) a positive test for marijuana,
the player shall suffer the applicable consequences
set forth in Section 8 below; or (iii) a positive test
for a SPED or Diuretic, the player shall suffer the
applicable consequences set forth in Section 9 below.
The original test will not be counted towards the number
of tests to be administered to that player for that
Season under Section 6 (Random Testing) below.
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Section 5. Reasonable
Cause Testing or Hearing.
(a) In the event that either the NBA or the Players
Association has information that gives it reasonable
cause to believe that a player is engaged in the use,
possession, or distribution of a Prohibited Substance,
including information that a First-Year Player may have
been engaged in such conduct during the period beginning
three (3) months prior to his entry into the NBA, such
party shall request a conference with the other party
and the Independent Expert, which shall be held within
twenty-four (24) hours or as soon thereafter as the
Expert is available. Upon hearing the information presented,
the Independent Expert shall immediately decide whether
there is reasonable cause to believe that the player
in question has been engaged in the use, possession,
or distribution of a Prohibited Substance. If the Independent
Expert decides that such reasonable cause exists, the
Expert shall thereupon issue an Authorization for Testing
with respect to such player.
(b) In evaluating the information presented to him,
the Independent Expert shall use his independent judgment
based upon his experience in substance abuse detection
and enforcement. The parties acknowledge that the type
of information to be presented to the Independent Expert
is likely to consist of reports of conversations with
third parties of the type generally considered by law
enforcement authorities to be reliable sources, and
that such sources might not otherwise come forward if
their identities were to become known. Accordingly,
neither the NBA nor the Players Association shall be
required to divulge to each other or to the Independent
Expert the names (or other identifying characteristics)
of their sources of information regarding the use, possession,
or distribution of a Prohibited Substance, and the absence
of such identification of sources, standing alone, shall
not constitute a basis for the Expert to refuse to issue
an Authorization for Testing with respect to a player.
In conferences with the Independent Expert, the player
involved shall not be identified by name until such
time as the Expert has determined to issue an Authorization
for Testing with respect to such player.
(c) Immediately upon the Independent Expert’s
issuance of an Authorization for Testing with respect
to a particular player, the NBA shall arrange for such
player to undergo testing for Drugs of Abuse (if the
Authorization for Testing was based on information regarding
the use, possession, or distribution of a Drug of Abuse),
for marijuana (if the authorization for Testing was
based on information regarding the player’s use,
possession, or distribution of marijuana), or for SPEDs
(if the Authorization for Testing was based on information
regarding the player’s use, possession, or distribution
of a SPED) no more than four (4) times during the six-week
period commencing with the issuance of the Authorization
for Testing. Such testing may be administered at any
time, in the discretion of the NBA, without prior notice
to the player.
(d) In the event that the player tests positive for
a Drug of Abuse pursuant to this Section 5, or tests
positive pursuant to Section 4(c)(iii), (iv) or (v)
above in connection with testing conducted pursuant
to this Section 5, he shall immediately be dismissed
and disqualified from any association with the NBA or
any of its Teams in accordance with the provisions of
Section 11(a) below. If the player tests positive for
marijuana or a SPED pursuant to this Section 5, he shall
enter the Program and suffer the applicable consequences
set forth in Sections 8 or 9 below, as the case may
be. If the player tests positive for a Diuretic, he
shall suffer the applicable consequences of a positive
test for the Prohibited Substance for which the Authorization
for Testing was issued.
(e) In the event that either the NBA or the Players
Association determines that there is sufficient evidence
to demonstrate that, within the previous year, a player
has engaged in the use, possession, or distribution
of a Prohibited Substance, or has received treatment
for use of a Prohibited Substance other than in accordance
with the terms of this Article XXXIII, it may, in lieu
of requesting the testing procedure set forth in Section
5(a)-(d) above, request a hearing on the matter before
the Grievance Arbitrator. If the Grievance Arbitrator
concludes that, within the previous year, the Player
has used, possessed, or distributed a Prohibited Substance,
or has received treatment other than in accordance with
the terms of this Article XXXIII, the player shall immediately
be dismissed and disqualified from any association with
the NBA or any of its Teams in accordance with the provisions
of Section 11(a) below, notwithstanding the fact that
the player has not undergone the testing procedure set
forth in this Section 5; provided, however, that if
the Grievance Arbitrator concludes that the player has
used or possessed marijuana or a SPED, he shall enter
the Program and suffer the applicable consequences set
forth in Sections 8 or 9 below, as the case may be.
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Section 6. Random
Testing.
(a) In addition to the testing procedures set forth
in Section 5 above, a player shall be required to undergo
testing for Prohibited Substances at any time, without
prior notice to the player, no more than four (4) times
each Season. The scheduling of testing and collection
of urine samples will be conducted according to a random
player selection procedure by a third-party organization,
and neither the NBA, the Players Association, any Team
or any player will have any involvement in selecting
the players to be tested or will receive prior notice
of the testing schedule; provided, however, that it
shall not be a violation of the foregoing for the third-party
organization (or a specimen collector for the same)
to provide advance notice of a scheduled collection
to an NBA Team Security Representative, so long as such
notice does not identify the player(s) who will be tested
and seeks merely to facilitate access of the collector
to the testing location.
(b)
(i) In the event that a First-Year Player who tests
positive for a Drug of Abuse pursuant to this Section
6, he shall immediately be dismissed and disqualified
from any association with the NBA or its Teams for
a period of one (1) year, his Player Contract shall
be rendered null and void and of no further force
or effect (subject to the provisions of Paragraph
8 of the Uniform Player Contract), and he shall enter
Stage 1 of the Drugs of Abuse Program. Such dismissal
and disqualification shall be mandatory and may not
be rescinded or reduced by the player’s Team
or the NBA.
(ii) During any period while a First-Year Player is
dismissed and disqualified from the NBA under Section
6(b)(i) above, and so long as such player is in compliance
with his in-patient or aftercare obligations under
the Program (as determined by the Medical Director),
he shall receive from his Team a reasonable and necessary
living expense stipend to be agreed upon by the NBA
and the Players Association which (A) shall not exceed
twenty-five percent (25%) of the Salary that the player
would otherwise have been entitled to earn for the
period of his dismissal and disqualification and (B)
shall not be payable for more than one (1) year from
the date of such dismissal and disqualification.
(iii) Any First-Year Player who tests positive for
marijuana or a SPED pursuant to this Section 6, shall
suffer the applicable consequences set forth in Sections
8 or 9 below, as the case may be. Any First-Year Player
who tests positive for a Diuretic pursuant to this
Section 6, shall suffer the applicable consequences
set forth in Section 9 below.
(c) In the event that a Veteran Player tests positive
for a Drug of Abuse pursuant to this Section 6, he shall
immediately be dismissed and disqualified from any association
with the NBA or any of its Teams in accordance with
the provisions of Section 11(a) below. If the player
tests positive for marijuana or a SPED pursuant to this
Section 6, he shall enter the Program and suffer the
applicable consequences set forth in Sections 8 or 9
below, as the case may be. If the player tests positive
for a Diuretic pursuant to this Section 6, he shall
enter the SPED Program and suffer the applicable consequences
set forth in Section 9 below.
(d) In the event that any player tests “positive”
pursuant to Section 4(c)(iii), (iv) or (v) above in
connection with testing conducted pursuant to this Section
6, that positive test result shall be considered a positive
test result for a Drug of Abuse, and the player shall
immediately be dismissed and disqualified from any association
with the NBA or any of its Teams in accordance with
the provisions of Section 11(a) below.
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Section 7. Drugs
of Abuse Program.
(a) Voluntary Entry.
(i) A player may enter the Drugs of Abuse Program
voluntarily at any time by Coming Forward Voluntarily
for a problem involving the use of a Drug of Abuse;
provided, however, that a player may not Come Forward
Voluntarily (A) until he has been selected in an NBA
Draft or invited to an NBA training camp; (B) during
any period in which an Authorization for Testing as
to that player remains in effect pursuant to Section
5 above; (C) during any period in which he remains
subject to in-patient or aftercare treatment in Stage
1 of the Drugs of Abuse Program; or (D) after he has
reached Stage 2 of the Drugs of Abuse Program.
(ii) If a player who has not previously entered the
Drugs of Abuse Program Comes Forward Voluntarily for
a problem involving the use of a Drug of Abuse, he
shall enter Stage 1 of the Drugs of Abuse Program.
(iii) If a player who has not previously entered Stage
2 of the Drugs of Abuse Program, but who has been
notified by the Medical Director that he has successfully
completed Stage 1 of that Program, Comes Forward Voluntarily
for a problem involving the use of a Drug of Abuse,
he shall enter Stage 2 of the Drugs of Abuse Program.
(iv) No penalty of any kind will be imposed on a player
as a result of having Come Forward Voluntarily for
a problem involving the use of a Drug of Abuse. The
foregoing sentence shall not preclude the imposition
of a penalty under Section 7(c)(iv) below as a result
of the player’s entering Stage 2 of the Drugs
of Abuse Program, or any penalty called for by this
Article XXXIII as a result of conduct by the player
that occurs after he has Come Forward Voluntarily.
(b) Stage 1.
(i) Any player who has entered Stage 1 of the Drugs
of Abuse Program shall be required to submit to an
evaluation by the Medical Director, provide (or cause
to be provided) to the Medical Director such relevant
medical and treatment records as the Medical Director
may request, and commence the treatment and testing
program prescribed by the Medical Director.
(ii) If a player, within ten (10) days of the date
on which he was notified that he had entered Stage
1 of the Drugs of Abuse Program and without a reasonable
excuse, fails to comply (in the professional judgment
of the Medical Director) with any of the obligations
set forth in Section 7(b)(i) above, he shall be suspended
until such time as the Medical Director determines
that he has fully complied with Section 7(b)(i) above.
If such noncompliance continues without a reasonable
excuse (in the professional judgment of the Medical
Director) for thirty (30) days from the date on which
the Player was notified that he had entered Stage
1 of the Drugs of Abuse Program, the player shall,
following notice of the player’s non-compliance
by the Medical Director to the NBA and then by the
NBA to the player’s Team (notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 3 above), (A) advance to Stage
2 of the Drugs of Abuse Program, or (B) the player’s
Team may, notwithstanding any term or provision in
or amendment to the player’s Uniform Player
Contract, elect to terminate such Contract without
any further obligation to pay Compensation, except
to pay the Compensation (either Current or Deferred)
that may have been earned by the player to the date
of termination.
(iii) Except as provided in this Article XXXIII, no
penalty of any kind will be imposed on a player while
he is in Stage 1 of the Drugs of Abuse Program and,
provided he complies with the terms of his prescribed
treatment, he will continue to receive his Compensation
during the term of his treatment for a period of up
to three (3) months of care in an In-Patient Facility
and such aftercare as may be required by the Medical
Director.
(c) Stage 2.
(i) Any player who has entered Stage 2 of the Drugs
of Abuse Program shall be required to submit to an
evaluation by the Medical Director, provide (or cause
to be provided) to the Medical Director such relevant
medical and treatment records as the Medical Director
may request, and commence the treatment and testing
program prescribed by the Medical Director.
(ii) If a player, within thirty (30) days of the date
on which he was notified that he had entered Stage
2 of the Drugs of Abuse Program and without a reasonable
excuse, fails to comply (in the professional judgment
of the Medical Director) with any of the obligations
set forth in Section 7(c)(i) above, he shall immediately
be dismissed and disqualified from any association
with the NBA or any of its Teams in accordance with
the provisions of Section 11(a) below.
(iii) A player in Stage 2 of the Drugs of Abuse Program
shall be suspended during the period of his in-patient
treatment and for at least the first six (6) months
of his aftercare treatment. The player shall remain
suspended during any subsequent period in which he
is undergoing treatment that, in the professional
judgment of the Medical Director, prevents him from
rendering the playing services called for by his Uniform
Player Contract.
(iv) Any subsequent use, possession, or distribution
of a Drug of Abuse by a player in Stage 2, even if
voluntarily disclosed, or any conduct by a player
in Stage 2 that results in his advancing one Stage
in the Drugs of Abuse Program, shall result in the
player being immediately dismissed and disqualified
from any association with the NBA or any of its Teams
in accordance with the provisions of Section 11(a)
below.
(d) Treatment and Testing Program.
A player who enters the Drugs of Abuse Program shall
be required to comply with such in-patient and aftercare
program as may be prescribed and supplemented from time
to time by the Medical Director. Such program may include
random testing for Prohibited Substances other than
SPEDs, and for alcohol, and such non-testing elements
as may be determined in the professional judgment of
the Medical Director.
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Section 8. Marijuana
Program.
(a) Voluntary Entry.
(i) A player may enter the Marijuana Program voluntarily
at any time by Coming Forward Voluntarily; provided,
however, that a player may not Come Forward Voluntarily
for a problem involving the use of marijuana (A) until
he has been selected in an NBA Draft or invited to
an NBA training camp; (B) during any period in which
an Authorization for Testing as to that player remains
in effect pursuant to Section 5 above; or (C) during
any period in which he remains subject to in-patient
or aftercare treatment in the Marijuana Program.
(ii) If a player who has not previously entered the
Marijuana Program, or a player who has been notified
by the Medical Director that he has successfully completed
that Program, Comes Forward Voluntarily for a problem
involving the use of marijuana, he shall enter the
Marijuana Program.
(iii) No penalty of any kind will be imposed on a
player as a result of having Come Forward Voluntarily
for a problem involving the use of marijuana. The
foregoing sentence shall not preclude the imposition
of any penalty called for by this Article XXXIII as
a result of conduct by the player that occurs after
he has Come Forward Voluntarily.
(b) Treatment.
(i) A player who enters the Marijuana Program shall
be required to submit to an evaluation by the Medical
Director, provide (or cause to be provided) to the
Medical Director such relevant medical and treatment
records as the Medical Director may request, and commence
the treatment and testing program prescribed by the
Medical Director. Such program may include random
testing for Prohibited Substances other than SPEDs,
and for alcohol, and such non-testing elements as
may be determined in the professional judgment of
the Medical Director.
(ii) If a player, within five (5) days of the date
on which he was notified that he had entered the Marijuana
Program and without a reasonable excuse, fails to
comply (in the professional judgment of the Medical
Director) with any of the obligations set forth in
the first sentence of Section 8(b)(i) above, he shall
be fined $10,000; if the player thereafter fails to
comply, without a reasonable excuse, with such obligations
(in the professional judgment of the Medical Director)
within eight (8) days of such notification, he shall
be fined an additional $10,000; and for each additional
day beyond the 8th day that the player, without a
reasonable excuse, fails to comply with such obligations
(in the professional judgment of the Medical Director),
he shall be fined an additional $10,000. The total
amount of such fines may not exceed the player’s
total Compensation.
(c) Penalties.
Any player who (i) tests positive for marijuana pursuant
to Section 5 (Reasonable Cause Testing), Section 6 (Random
Testing), or Section 14 (Additional Bases for Testing),
(ii) is adjudged by the Grievance Arbitrator pursuant
to Section 5(e) above to have used or possessed marijuana,
or (iii) has been convicted of (including a plea of
guilty, no contest or nolo contendere to) the use or
possession of marijuana in violation of the law, shall
suffer the following penalties:
(A) For the first such violation, the player shall
be required to enter the Marijuana Program;
(B) For the second such violation, the player shall
be fined $25,000 and, if the player is not then subject
to in-patient or aftercare treatment in the Marijuana
Program, be required to enter the Marijuana Program;
(C) For the third such violation, the player shall
be suspended for five (5) games and, if the player
is not then subject to in-patient or aftercare treatment
in the Marijuana Program, be required to enter the
Marijuana Program; and
(D) For any subsequent violation, the player shall
be suspended for five (5) games longer than his immediately
preceding suspension for violating the Marijuana Program
and, if the player is not then subject to in-patient
or aftercare treatment in the Marijuana Program, be
required to enter the Marijuana Program.
Top

Section 9. Steroids,
Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Masking Agents Program.
(a) Voluntary Entry.
(i) A player may enter the SPED Program voluntarily
at any time by Coming Forward Voluntarily; provided,
however, that a player may not Come Forward Voluntarily
for a problem involving the use of a SPED (A) until
he has been selected in an NBA Draft or invited to
an NBA training camp; (B) during any period in which
an Authorization for testing as to that player remains
in effect pursuant to Section 5 above; or (C) during
any period in which he remains subject to in-patient
or aftercare treatment in the SPED Program.
(ii) If a player who has not previously entered the
SPED Program, Comes Forward Voluntarily for a problem
involving the use of a SPED, he shall enter the SPED
Program.
(iii) No penalty of any kind will be imposed on a
player as a result of having Come Forward Voluntarily
for a problem involving the use of a SPED. The foregoing
sentence shall not preclude the imposition of any
penalty called for by this Article XXXIII as a result
of conduct by the player that occurs after he has
Come Forward Voluntarily.
(b) Treatment.
(i) A player who enters the SPED Program shall be
required to submit to an evaluation by the Medical
Director, provide (or cause to be provided) to the
Medical Director such relevant medical and treatment
records as the Medical Director may request, and commence
the treatment and testing program prescribed by the
Medical Director. Such program may include random
testing for SPEDs and such non-testing elements as
may be determined in the professional judgment of
the Medical Director.
(ii) If a player, within five (5) days of the date
on which he was notified that he had entered the SPED
Program and without a reasonable excuse, fails to
comply (in the professional judgment of the Medical
Director) with any of the obligations set forth in
the first sentence of Section 9(b)(i) above, he shall
be fined $10,000; if the player, without a reasonable
excuse, thereafter fails to comply with such obligations
(in the professional judgment of the Medical Director)
within eight (8) days of such notification, he shall
be fined an additional $10,000; and for each additional
day beyond the 8th day that the player, without a
reasonable excuse, fails to comply with such obligations
(in the professional judgment of the Medical Director),
he shall be fined an additional $10,000. The total
amount of such fines shall not exceed the player’s
total Compensation.
(c) Penalties.
Any player who (i) tests positive for a SPED pursuant
to Section 5 (Reasonable Cause Testing), Section 6 (Random
Testing), or Section 14 (Additional Bases for Testing),
or (ii) is adjudged by the Grievance Arbitrator pursuant
to Section 5(e) above to have used or possessed a SPED,
shall suffer the following penalties:
(A) For the first such violation, the player shall
be suspended for ten (10) games and required to enter
the SPED Program;
(B) For the second such violation, the player shall
be suspended for twenty-five (25) games and, if the
player is not then subject to in-patient or aftercare
treatment in the SPED Program, be required to enter
the SPED Program;
(C) for the third such violation, the player shall
be suspended for one (1) year from the date of such
violation and, if the player is not then subject to
in-patient or aftercare treatment in the SPED Program,
be required to enter the SPED Program; and
(D) for the fourth such violation, the player shall
be immediately dismissed and disqualified from any
association with the NBA or any of its Teams in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11(a) below.
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Section 10. Noncompliance
with Treatment.
(a) Drugs of Abuse.
(i) Any player who, after entering Stage 1 or Stage
2 of the Drugs of Abuse Program, fails to comply with
his treatment or his aftercare program as prescribed
and determined by the Medical Director, shall be suspended.
Such suspension shall continue until the player has,
in the professional judgment of the Medical Director,
resumed full compliance with his treatment program.
(ii) Notwithstanding Section 10(a) above, any player
who in the professional judgment of the Medical Director,
after entering Stage 1 or Stage 2 of the Drugs of
Abuse Program, fails to comply with his treatment
program through (A) a pattern of behavior that demonstrates
a mindful disregard for his treatment responsibilities,
or (B) a positive test for a Prohibited Substance
other than a SPED that is not clinically expected
by the Medical Director, shall suffer the following
penalties:
(1) if the player is in Stage 1 of the Drugs of
Abuse Program, he shall advance to Stage 2 and be
suspended until, in the professional judgment of
the Medical Director, he has resumed full compliance
with his treatment program; or
(2) if the player already is in Stage 2 of the Drugs
of Abuse Program, he shall immediately be dismissed
and disqualified from any association with the NBA
or any of its Teams in accordance with the provisions
of Section 11(a) below.
(b) Marijuana.
(i) Any player who, after entering the Marijuana
Program, fails to comply (without a reasonable excuse)
with his treatment program as prescribed and determined
by the Medical Director, shall be fined $5,000 for
each day that he fails to comply. Such fines shall
continue until the player has, in the professional
judgment of the Medical Director, resumed full compliance
with his treatment program. The total amount of such
fines shall not exceed the player’s total Compensation.
(ii) Notwithstanding Section 10(b)(i) above, any player
who, after entering the Marijuana Program, fails to
comply with his treatment program as prescribed and
determined by the Medical Director through (A) a pattern
of behavior that demonstrates a mindful disregard
for his treatment responsibilities, or (B) a positive
test for marijuana that is not clinically expected
by the Medical Director, shall suffer the following
penalties:
(1) if the player has not previously been fined
$25,000 under Section 8(c) above or this Section
10(b)(ii), a fine of $25,000;
(2) if the player has previously been fined $25,000
under Section 8(c) above or this Section 10(b)(ii),
a suspension of five (5) games; or
(3) if the player has previously been suspended
for five (5) or more games under Section 8(c) above
or this Section 10(b)(ii), a suspension that is
at least five (5) games longer than his immediately-preceding
suspension and that shall continue until, in the
professional judgment of the Medical Director, the
player resumes full compliance with his treatment
program.
(iii) In addition to any consequence to the player
under Section 10(b)(ii) above, any player who has
entered the Marijuana Program but not the Drugs of
Abuse Program, and tests positive for a Drug of Abuse
in any test conducted by the Medical Director, shall
enter Stage 1 of the Drugs of Abuse Program.
(c) SPEDs.
(i) Any player who, after entering the SPED Program,
fails to comply (without a reasonable excuse) with
his treatment program as prescribed and determined
by the Medical Director, shall be fined $5,000 per
day for each day that he fails to comply. Such fines
shall continue until the player has, in the professional
judgment of the Medical Director, resumed full compliance
with his treatment program. The total amount of such
fines shall not exceed the player’s total Compensation.
(ii) Notwithstanding Section 10(c)(i) above, any player
who, after entering the SPED Program, fails to comply
with his treatment program as prescribed and determined
by the Medical Director through (A) a pattern of behavior
that demonstrates a mindful disregard for his treatment
responsibilities, or (B) a positive test for a SPED
that is not clinically expected by the Medical Director,
shall suffer the following penalties:
(1) if the player has not previously been suspended
for ten (10) games under Section 9(c) above or this
Section 10(c)(ii), a suspension of ten (10) games;
(2) if the player has previously been suspended
for ten (10) games under Section 9(c) above or this
Section 10(c)(ii), a suspension of twenty-five (25)
games;
(3) if the player has previously been suspended
for twenty-five (25) games under Section 9(c) above
or this Section 10(c)(ii), a suspension of one (1)
year from the date of such violation; or
(4) if the player has been previously suspended
for one (1) year under Section 9(c) above or this
Section 10(c)(ii), the player shall be immediately
dismissed and disqualified from any association
with the NBA or any of its Teams in accordance with
the provisions of Section 11(a) below.
(d) Directed Testing.
Any player who, after entering the Program, and without
a reasonable explanation satisfactory to the Medical
Director, (i) fails to appear for any of his Team’s
scheduled games, or (ii) misses, during any consecutive
seven-day (7) period, any two (2) airplane flights on
which his team is scheduled to travel, any two (2) Team
practices, or a combination of any one (1) practice
and any one (1) Team flight, shall immediately submit
to a urine test to be conducted by the NBA. If any test
conducted pursuant to this Section 10(d) is positive:
(x) for a Drug of Abuse or pursuant to Section 4(c)(iii),
(iv) or (v) above (for a player in the Drugs of Abuse
Program), then the player shall suffer the applicable
consequence set forth in Section 10(a)(ii) above; (y)
for marijuana or pursuant to Section 4(c)(iii), (iv)
or (v) above (for a player in the Marijuana Program),
then the player shall suffer the applicable consequence
set forth in Section 10(b)(ii) above; or (z) for a SPED
or pursuant to Section 4(c)(iii), (iv) or (v) above
(for a player in the SPED Program), then the player
will suffer the applicable consequence set forth in
Section 10(c)(ii) above. If any test conducted pursuant
to this Section 10(d) is positive for a Diuretic, then
the player shall suffer the applicable consequences
of a positive test for the Prohibited Substance for
which he entered the Program.
Top

Section 11. Dismissal
and Disqualification.
(a) A player who, under the terms of this Agreement,
is “dismissed and disqualified from any association
with the NBA or any of its Teams in accordance with
the provisions of Section 11(a)” shall, without
exception, immediately be so dismissed and disqualified
for a period of not less than two (2) years, and such
player’s Player Contract shall be rendered null
and void and of no further force or effect (subject
to the provisions of paragraph 8 of the Uniform Player
Contract). Such dismissal and disqualification shall
be mandatory and may not be rescinded or reduced by
the player’s Team or the NBA.
(b) In addition to any other provision of this Agreement
requiring that a player be dismissed and disqualified
from any association with the NBA or any of its Teams
in accordance with the provisions of Section 11(a) above,
a player will also be dismissed and disqualified under
Section 11(a) above if he is convicted of (including
a plea of guilty, no contest, or nolo contendere to)
a crime involving the use or possession of a Prohibited
Substance other than marijuana.
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Section 12. Reinstatement.
(a) After a period of at least two (2) years from the
time of a player’s dismissal and disqualification
under Section 11(a) above, and after a period of at
least one (1) year from the date of a First-Year Player’s
dismissal and disqualification under Section 6(b) above,
such player may apply for reinstatement as a player
in the NBA. However, such player shall have no right
to reinstatement under any circumstance and the reinstatement
shall be granted only with the prior approval of both
the NBA and the Players Association, which shall not
be unreasonably withheld. The approval of the NBA and
the Players Association shall rest in their absolute
and sole discretion, and their decision shall be final,
binding, and unappealable. Among the factors that may
be considered by the NBA and the Players Association
in determining whether to grant reinstatement are (without
limitation): the circumstances surrounding the player’s
dismissal and disqualification; whether the player has
satisfactorily completed a treatment and rehabilitation
program; the player’s conduct since his dismissal,
including the extent to which the player has since comported
himself as a suitable role model for youth; and whether
the player is judged to possess the requisite qualities
of good character and morality.
(b) For a First-Year Player, the NBA and the Players
Association will consider an application for reinstatement
only if the player has, in the opinion of the Medical
Director, successfully completed any in-patient treatment
and/or aftercare prescribed by the Medical Director.
For a Veteran Player, the NBA and the Players Association
will consider any application for reinstatement only
if the player can demonstrate, by proof of random urine
testing acceptable to the Medical Director (conducted
on at least a weekly basis), that he has not tested
positive (i) for a Prohibited Substance within the twelve
(12) months prior to the submission of his application
for reinstatement and during any period while his application
is being reviewed, and (ii) if the Medical Director
deems it necessary in his or her professional judgment,
for alcohol for the six (6) months prior to the submission
of his application for reinstatement and during any
period while his application is being reviewed.
(c) The granting of an application for reinstatement
may be conditioned upon random testing of the player
or such other terms as may be agreed upon by the NBA
and the Players Association, whether or not such terms
are contemplated by the terms of this Article XXXIII.
(d) In the event that the application for reinstatement
of a First-Year Player dismissed and disqualified pursuant
to Section 6(b) above is approved, such player, by reason
of his Player Contract having been rendered null and
void pursuant to Section 6(b) above, shall be deemed
not to have completed his Player Contract by rendering
the playing services called for thereunder. Accordingly,
such player shall not be a Free Agent and shall not
be entitled to negotiate or sign a Player Contract with
any NBA Team, except as specifically provided in this
Section 12.
(e)
(i) A First-Year Player who has been reinstated pursuant
to this Section 12 shall, immediately upon such reinstatement,
notify the Team to which he was under contract at
the time of his dismissal and disqualification (the
“previous Team”). Upon receipt of such
notification, and subject to Section 12(e)(ii) below,
the previous Team shall then have thirty (30) days
in which to make a Tender to the player with a stated
term of at least one (1) full NBA Season (or, in the
event that the Tender is made during a Season, of
at least the remainder of that Season) and calling
for at least the Minimum Player Salary then applicable
to that player but not more than the Salary provided
for in Section 12(e)(ii) below. If the previous Team
makes such a Tender, it shall, for a period of one
(1) year from the date of the Tender, be the only
NBA Team with which the player may negotiate and sign
a Player Contract. If the player does not sign a Player
Contract with the previous Team within the year following
such Tender, the player shall thereupon be deemed
a Restricted Free Agent, subject to a Right of First
Refusal. If the previous Team fails to make a Tender,
the player shall become an Unrestricted Free Agent.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
12(e)(i) above, the 30-day period for the previous
Team to make a Tender shall be tolled if (A) on the
date the player serves the notice required by Section
12(e)(i), he is under contract to a professional basketball
team not in the NBA, or (B) the player signs a contract
with a professional basketball team not in the NBA
at any point after the date on which the player serves
the notice required by Section 12(e)(i) and before
the date on which the previous Team makes a Tender.
If the 30-day period for making a Tender is tolled
pursuant to the preceding sentence, the period shall
remain tolled until the date on which the player notifies
the Team that he is immediately available to sign
and begin rendering playing services under a Player
Contract with such Team, provided that such notice
will not be effective until the player is under no
contractual or other legal impediment to sign with
and begin rendering playing services for such team.
(iii) A First-Year Player who is reinstated pursuant
to this Section 12 may enter into a Player Contract
with his previous Team that provides for a Salary
and Unlikely Bonuses for the first Season of up to
the Player’s Salary and Unlikely Bonuses, respectively,
for the Salary Cap Year in which he was dismissed
and disqualified (reduced on a pro rata basis if the
first Season of the new Contract is a partial Season),
even if the Team has a Team Salary at or above the
Salary Cap or such Player Contract causes the Team
to have a Team Salary above the Salary Cap. If the
player and the previous Team enter into such Player
Contract and such Contract covers more than one Season,
increases and decreases in Salary for Seasons following
the first Season shall be governed by Article VII,
Section 5(c)(1); provided, however, that if the player
who is reinstated was dismissed and disqualified during
the term of his Rookie Scale Contract, then (A) the
number of Seasons in the player’s new Contract
may not exceed two (2) Seasons plus two (2) Option
Years in favor of the Team, and the Salary and Unlikely
Bonuses called for in any Season of the player’s
new Contract, including any Option Year, may not exceed
the Salary and Unlikely Bonuses called for during
the corresponding Season of his Rookie Scale Contract,
and (B) if the new Contract contains terms identical
to those contained in the remaining Seasons of the
Player’s Rookie Scale Contract at the time he
was dismissed and disqualified, and the Team exercises
all Option Year(s) available under the new Contract,
then the player’s Team shall retain the same
rights with respect to such new Contract as it would
have retained under Article XI following the completion
of the player’s Rookie Scale Contract.
(f)
(i) A Veteran Player who has been reinstated pursuant
to this Section 12 shall, immediately upon such reinstatement,
notify the Team to which he was under contract at
the time of his dismissal and disqualification (the
“previous Team”). Upon receipt of such
notification, and subject to Section 12(f)(ii) below,
the previous Team shall then have thirty (30) days
in which to make a Tender to the player with a stated
term of at least one (1) full NBA Season (or, in the
event the Tender is made during a Season, of at least
the rest of that Season) and calling for a Salary
in the first Season covered by the Tender at least
equal to the lesser of (A) the player’s Salary
for the Salary Cap Year in which he was dismissed
and disqualified, or (B) the Estimated Average Player
Salary during the then-current Season, in either case
reduced on a pro rata basis if the first Season covered
by the Tender is a partial Season, but not greater
than the Salary provided in Section 12(f)(iii) below.
If the previous Team makes such a Tender, it shall,
for a period of one (1) year from the date of the
Tender, be the only NBA Team with which the player
may negotiate and sign a Player Contract. If the player
does not sign a Player Contract with the previous
Team within the year following such Tender, then the
player shall thereupon be deemed a Restricted or an
Unrestricted Free Agent, in accordance with the provisions
of Article XI. If the previous Team fails to make
a Required Tender, the player shall become an Unrestricted
Free Agent.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
12(f)(i) above, the 30-day period for the previous
Team to make a Tender shall be tolled if (A) on the
date the player serves the notice required by Section
12(f)(i), he is under contract to a professional basketball
team not in the NBA, or (B) the player signs a contract
with a professional basketball team not in the NBA
at any point after the date on which he serves the
notice required by Section 12(f)(i) and before the
date on which the previous Team makes a Tender. If
the 30-day period for making a Tender is tolled pursuant
to the preceding sentence, the period shall remain
tolled until the date on which the player notifies
the Team that he is available to sign a Player Contract
with and begin rendering playing services for such
Team immediately, provided that such notice will not
be effective until the player is under no contractual
or other legal impediment to sign with and begin rendering
playing services for such Team.
(iii) A Veteran Player who is reinstated pursuant
to this Section 12 may enter into a Player Contract
with his previous Team that provides for a Salary
and Unlikely Bonuses for the first Season of up to
the player’s Salary and Unlikely Bonuses, respectively,
for the Salary Cap Year in which he was dismissed
and disqualified (reduced on a pro rata basis if the
first Season of the new Contract is a partial Season),
even if the Team has a Team Salary at or above the
Salary Cap or such Player Contract causes the Team
to have a Team Salary above the Salary Cap. If the
player and the previous Team enter into such Player
Contract and such Contract covers more than one Season,
increases and decreases in Salary for Seasons following
the first Season shall be governed by Article VII,
Section 5(c)(i); provided, however, that if the player
who is reinstated was dismissed and disqualified during
the term of his Rookie Scale Contract, then (A) the
number of Seasons in the Player’s new Contract
may not exceed the number of Seasons (including the
Option Year in favor of the Team) that remained under
the player’s Rookie Scale Contract at the time
he was dismissed and disqualified, and the Salary
called for in any Season of the Player’s new
Contract (including any Option Year), may not exceed
the Salary called for during the corresponding Season
of his Rookie Scale Contract, and (B) if the new Contract
contains terms identical to those contained in the
remaining Seasons of the player’s Rookie Scale
Contract at the time he was dismissed and disqualified,
and the player’s Team ultimately exercises the
Option Year available under the new Contract, then
such Team shall retain the same rights with respect
to such new Contract as it would have retained under
Article XI following the completion of the player’s
Rookie Scale Contract.
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Section 13. Exclusivity
of the Program.
(a) Except as expressly provided in this Article XXXIII,
there shall be no other screening or testing for Prohibited
Substances conducted by the NBA or any Team, and no
player may undergo such screening or testing; provided,
however, that, in a medical emergency, team physicians
may test players solely for diagnostic purposes in order
to provide satisfactory medical care. The results of
any diagnostic drug testing conducted pursuant to the
preceding sentence shall not be used for any other purpose
by the player’s Team or the NBA. If any Team is
found to have tested a player in violation of this Section
13, the NBA will impose a substantial fine not to exceed
$750,000 upon such Team pursuant to the NBA’s
Constitution and By-Laws.
(b) The penalties set forth in this Article XXXIII shall
be the exclusive penalties to be imposed upon a player
for the use, possession or distribution of a Prohibited
Substance.
(c) No Uniform Player Contract entered into after the
date hereof shall include any term or provision that
modifies, contradicts, changes, or is inconsistent with
paragraph 8 of such Contract (including any condition
or limitation on salary protection, as precluded by
Article II, Section 4(n)) or provides for the testing
of a player for illegal substances. Any term or provision
of a currently effective Uniform Player Contract that
is inconsistent with paragraph 8 of such Contract shall
be deemed null and void only to the extent of the inconsistency.
Top

Section 14. Additional
Bases for Testing.
(a) Any player who seeks treatment outside the Program
for a problem involving a Prohibited Substance shall,
as directed by the NBA (after notice to the Players
Association), submit himself to an evaluation by the
Medical Director and provide (or cause to be provided)
to the Medical Director such medical and treatment records
as the Medical Director may request. The Medical Director
may, in his or her professional judgment, also require
such a player, without prior notice, to submit to testing
for Prohibited Substances, provided that the frequency
of such testing shall not exceed three (3) times per
week and the duration of such testing shall not exceed
one (1) year from the date of the player’s initial
evaluation by the Medical Director.
(b) Any player who is a subject to in-patient or aftercare
treatment in the Program and is formally charged with
“driving while intoxicated,” “driving
under the influence of alcohol,” or any other
crime or offense involving suspected alcohol or illegal
substance use shall, provided that the NBA has advised
the Players Association, be required to submit to a
urine test, to be conducted by the NBA, within seven
(7) days of being so charged.
(c) If, pursuant to Section 14(a) above, a player (i)
tests positive for a Drug of Abuse; (ii) tests positive
pursuant to Section 4(c)(iii), (iv) or (v) above; or
(iii) refuses or fails to submit to an evaluation or
provide (or cause to be provided) the information requested
by the Medical Director, but does not Come Forward Voluntarily
within 60 days of being requested to do so by the NBA
(with notice to the Players Association), or if, pursuant
to Section 14(b) above, a player tests positive for
a Drug of Abuse, then, in either case, the player shall
advance two stages in the Drugs of Abuse Program—i.e.,
the player shall enter Stage 2 of the Drugs of Abuse
Program (if the player had not previously entered Stage
1 of such Program), and the player shall be dismissed
and disqualified from any association with the NBA or
any of its Teams in accordance with the provisions of
Section 11(a) above (if the player had previously entered
Stage 1 or Stage 2 of such Program).
(d) If, pursuant to Section 14(a) or (b) above, a player
tests positive for marijuana or a SPED, he shall suffer
the applicable consequences set forth in Sections 8
or 9 above, as the case may be. If, pursuant to Section
14 (a) or (b) above, a player tests positive for a Diuretic,
he shall suffer the applicable consequences set forth
in Section 9 above.
(e) If a player is or, within the previous six (6) months,
has been in possession of any device or product used
or designed for substituting, diluting, or adulterating
a specimen sample, that player shall be required to
undergo testing for Prohibited Substances no more than
four (4) times during the six-week period following
his notification by the NBA of the commencement of such
testing. If the player tests positive for a Drug of
Abuse, he shall be dismissed and disqualified from any
association with the NBA or any of its Teams in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11(a) above. If the player
tests positive for marijuana or a SPED, he shall suffer
the applicable consequences set forth in Sections 8
or 9 above, as the case may be. If the player tests
positive for a Diuretic, he shall suffer the applicable
consequences set forth in Section 9, above.
(f) Nothing in this Section 14 shall limit or otherwise
affect any of the provisions of Section 5 (Reasonable
Cause Testing).
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Section 15. Additional
Prohibited Substances.
(a) Any steroid or performance-enhancing drug that is
declared illegal during the term of this Agreement will
automatically be added to the list of Prohibited Substances
as a SPED.
(b) At any time during the term of this Agreement, either
the NBA or the Players Association may convene a meeting
of the Prohibited Substances Committee to request that
a substance or substances be added to the list of Prohibited
Substances set forth on Exhibit I-2 to this Agreement.
Any such addition of a Prohibited Substance may only
include a substance that is or is reasonably likely
to be physically harmful to Players and is or is reasonably
likely to be improperly performance-enhancing. The determination
of the Committee to add to the list of Prohibited Substances
shall be made by a majority vote of all five Committee
members, and shall be final, binding, and unappealable.
(c) Players will receive notice of any addition to the
list of Prohibited Substances six (6) months prior to
the date on which such addition becomes effective under
this Article XXXIII.
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