National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)
Player Operations, Research & Analytics Summer Intern
National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)United States3 days ago
InternshipGeneral Business

ABOUT THE NBPA: The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and advance the rights of our players. They are the game.


The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including through the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, and counseling players on benefits and educational and post-NBA career opportunities.


Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the group licensing and partnership engine of the NBPA. With more than 80 active partnerships, THINK450 is dedicated to uncovering shared interests between players and leading brands to build more engaging collaborations.


The NBPA Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members by supporting and assisting people, communities, and organizations worldwide. It spotlights and amplifies the global initiatives of professional basketball players, driving positive change through community building, charitable endeavors, and social entrepreneurship.


For more information, visit www.nbpa.com and follow @thenbpa on social.


POSITION OVERVIEW: As the Player Operations, Research & Analytics Intern, you will be a key contributor to our mission to support players throughout their professional journey. This role is dedicated to empowering our members by using data-driven insights to promote career longevity, inform decision-making, and prepare them for successful post-playing careers.


You will act as a professional partner to our organization, focusing on the entire player lifecycle:

  • Grassroots/Elite Youth
  • Early Career (0-4 years)
  • Mid-Career (5-9 years)
  • Veteran (10+ years)
  • Recently Retired Players.


Your primary responsibility will be to manage the data and research that fuels our Player Operations department. This includes tracking player career arcs, managing data in Salesforce, and transforming raw information into actionable intelligence. Key projects will include generating insights for critical Player Ops activations, such as career longevity studies, TAMS, Free Agents and family engagement initiatives, and preparing analytical reports for quarterly Ed Trust Board meetings. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a passion for sports, a deep understanding of research methodologies, and exceptional database management skills.


DURATION: June 2nd – August 7th


RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Holistic Player Tracking: Maintain a robust system for tracking, monitoring, and researching player movement, career milestones, and off-court business ventures across all five player segments (Grassroots, Early Career, Mid-Career, Veteran, and Retired).
  • Data Integrity & CRM Management: Ensure all player data is accurate, organized, and consistently updated within our CRM (Salesforce). Proactively identify and correct discrepancies to maintain a reliable central source of truth.
  • Strategic Data Analysis: Compile, analyze, and interpret key data on player career activities, educational pursuits, and professional interests to identify trends and inform program development.
  • Reporting & Insights: Prepare and deliver statistical reports, data visualizations, and key insights for quarterly Ed Trust Board meetings and internal strategy sessions.
  • Activation & Initiative Insights: Generate and analyze data to support key Player Operations activations, providing insights on player career length, TAMS, Player tiers, family engagement, and other strategic initiatives.
  • Research & Program Support:
  • Conduct targeted research on player career interests and social media presence to help tailor engagement and support.
  • Assist the Player Operations team with program planning, material preparation, and other administrative tasks driven by data needs.
  • Process Improvement: Contribute to the department's strategic goals by helping to streamline data collection, tracking, and player engagement processes.


QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Undergraduate (Junior/Senior) or Graduate student
  • Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis, database management, and research methodologies.
  • High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and Google Suite (especially Sheets). Experience with CRM platforms, notably Salesforce, is strongly preferred.
  • Exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
  • Strong ability to work independently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present data clearly and concisely.
  • A foundational understanding of the professional sports landscape and social media platforms.
  • Proven ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Key Skills

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