CASE STUDY

Socialization in Professional Basketball: The Rookie Transition

Program One example of a socialization program for new entrants into a sporting league is the Rookie Transition Program developed by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Of all the professional sport leagues in North America, the NBA is arguably the most international in terms of player demographics. Given the prominent role of internationalization in the NBAs strategic plan, the league and the NBPA collaborated to create a series of seminars and workshops that help younger players (from both within and outside of the United States) adapt to the challenges inherent in their new profession, both on and off the court. The program was born of former players concerns regarding the ability of new entrants to cope with the stress of NBA life and the pressure of public performance.The mandatory program takes the form of a crash course that occurs over a three- or four-day period (Kennedy, 2016), during which new recruits and players learn about important aspects of attending to their physical and mental health, professionalism in the league, fi nancial management strategies, ethics, respect and inclusion, sponsorship and personal branding, community involvement, and stress management techniques (Kennedy, 2016; Remme, n.d.). In addition, special sessions are offered for players who are 20 years of age or younger and for inter-national players facing the unique challenges of entering a new country. Young players are taught how to be on their own for the fi rst time and how to understand their role on the team. Foreign players learn about cultural adaptation, overcoming the language barrier, and acclimating to the style of play in the NBA. Ultimately, the program helps players move successfully through the encounter phase of socialization and increase their understanding of the business and their role in it, both for their team and for the league as a whole. The NBA and NBPA also offer a 24-hour support system in collaboration with social workers, former players, and other experts (Remme, n.d.).The Rookie Transition Program is administered by the player development depart-ments of the NBA and NBPA and is viewed as an important step in the life of an NBA player. It also provides an example of good practice in helping people transition into a new role (in this case, that of professional player). Of course, it is up to the individuals team to ensure that the transitional period is marked by opportunities for the young athlete to ask questions and get to know the internal workings of the franchise.

In what ways does the Rookie Transition Program address the needs of young-er athletes as they enter into large professional contracts?