Derek Fisher Announced that Billy Hunter Has Been Officially Terminated by the NBPA

HOUSTON — Adios, Billy Hunter.

Today, after the players’ union’s annual All-Star meeting, Derek Fisher announced that the National Basketball Players Association has terminated the employment of Hunter.

Additionally, the union has elected new leadership.

Fisher will remain as the union’s president, while Roger Mason, Jr. and Chris Paul remain vice presidents. James Jones will continue in his role as secretary-treasurer, while Matt Bonner, who was formerly a vice president, will succeed Keyon Dooling as the union’s first vice president.

The new members of the executive committe are Andre Iguodala, Jerry Stackhouse, Stephen Curry and Willie Green.

Below is Fisher’s full statement.

“Good afternoon, everyone. Today, for the NBPA was a day of change. Today was a day of change for our association and our union. We held a meeting of the board of player representatives, with many different groups of players represented. Some of our international players, our all-stars, our younger players and a lot of our veteran players, as well. The player representatives and general body of our association have made their voice and their votes heard and today, a motion was raised, seconded and passed, unanimously, that we will terminate the employment of Billy Hunter.

A new executive committee was formed. I remain as president, at this time, along with Matt Bonner serving as vice president, secretary treasuer will be James Jones, our first vice president elected will be Jerry Stackhouse.

The following five players were chosen as vice presidents: Roger Mason, Jr., Chris Paul, Andre Iguodala, Stephen Curry and Willie Green.

We want to make it clear that we are here to serve only the best interests of the players. No threats, no lies, no distractions will stop us from serving our membership. We do not doubt that this process will possibly continue in an ugly way, but we want to remind everyone that there are three ongoing government investigations pending, and so, we would like to continue to respect that process and will continue to handle ourselves accordingly in that regard, but going forward, will no longer be divided, misled, misinformed.

This is our union and we are taking it back.

There will be no further comment at this time, we appreciate you all being here this afternoon and at the appropriate time, as this process is carried, we will be in touch and willing to speak with the media at a later date, but that you all for being here.”

Hunter issued a statement shortly afterward:

“I have yet to receive any notification, other than published news reports, that the NBPA has terminated my employment. If accurate, it is indicative of the extremely troubling process followed by the NBPA during the past few weeks. During the days and weeks ahead, my legal team and I will begin carefully reviewing the actions taken and statements made against me in the meeting room in my absence. I look forward to gathering the evidence showing how certain individuals made sure the outcome was pre-ordained.”

“After 17 years of representing NBA players during CBA negotiations and defending their rights in other proceedings, not once was there an occasion where one side was denied an opportunity to be heard. The current interim regime in control of the NBPA has set a terrible precedent for the union. It violates every tenet of fairness upon which the union was founded. Now that this has occurred, I will continue to examine all of my options, including whether the fairness that was absent from the NBPA process might be available in a different forum.

“In addition, given the legitimate legal and governance questions surrounding the eligibility of the members who voted and the adherence, or lack thereof, to the constitution and bylaws, I do not consider today’s vote the end, only a different beginning. My legal representatives and I will resume communication with the NBPA to determine how to best move forward in the best interests of all parties.