How is this Legal?

Imagine what would happen if Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft set a rule that they would not hire anyone over 50? Do you think the media would explode? Would people go ballistic over age discrimination?

Of course they would, and rightly so.

So why can’t an 18 year old play in the NBA? And now apparently the league wants to bump it so 19 year olds can’t either.

How is this legal?

A large number of employers colluding to prohibit employment of a certain class of people. Age discrimination is illegal in most states, (though not federally, except for older workers).

It’s the most ridiculous thing ever. There’s no argument that they aren’t capable. Hello, Kobe? LeBron? Yeah, they were lame. Who’d want them?

Again, how is this legal?

Yes, the Players’ Union has agreed to it. Does that make it legal?

I frankly don’t understand why the NBA wants this, unless the NCAA is bribing them. I get the NCAA’s interest. They have a total gravy train exploiting “student athletes”. Don’t rock that boat.

But all the NBA is doing is risking injury to the next Kobe/LeBron before they join the league. I guess they get publicity from March Madness, but it’s hard to argue that LeBron had no publicity when he entered the league.

Let’s look at the MVP awards recently. Say, since the 2007-8 season. Let’s assume that Kevin Durant wins this year. The list of winners would be:

• Kobe (violates current rule)
• LeBron (violates current rule)
• Derrick Rose (would violate new rule)
• Kevin Durant (would violate new rule)

So the NBA is trying to exclude their ultimate best players.

Again, how is this legal? Or smart?

I guess it’s just that a kid out of high school is afraid of risking his potential career by biting the hand that will ultimately feed him. Kobe and LeBron are the exceptions and we haven’t had another one since the rule changed.

So who cares if it’s legal? It’s convenient.

I’m not a lawyer, so if anyone knows, please explain.