Bob Lanier becomes the NBPA's fifth president in 1980. The players and owners reach an unprecedented agreement to share League revenues. Junior Bridgeman becomes president in 1985. Alex English soon takes over as NBPA President. The Bridgeman Agreement loosens other restrictions, including reducing the college draft from seven rounds to two rounds.
Free agency is protected with strict anti-collusion provisions.
The terms of the Bridgeman Agreement become incorporated into a six-year Collective Bargaining Agreement. Larry Fleisher, General Counsel of the Players Association since 1963, resigns. Charles Grantham becomes the Union's first Executive Director. Isiah Thomas becomes the eighth president in 1989. The Pre-Pension Benefit Plan begins to operate, as a forced savings plan designed to assist players in their years after basketball but before their regular pension begins.