What is collective bargaining?

• A. A process in which players negotiate working conditions with team owners, potentially leading to strikes or lockouts.
• B. A method for distributing new talent.
• C. A system for distributing player salaries.
• D. A process for evaluating team performance.

Answer: (D)

Collective bargaining is the negotiation process where players (the workers) and team owners (the employers) work out the terms of employment. This leads to a formal agreement that covers wages, benefits, working hours, contract length, safety, grievance procedures, and other conditions of work. Strikes or lockouts can occur if negotiations stall, as both sides use leverage to reach a deal. It’s not about how talent is distributed, how salaries are allocated across teams, or how team performance is evaluated.