Legends Summer Getaway 2024

Once Again Takes Las Vegas By Storm

BY Julio Manteiga

There’s a marketing slogan used by Las Vegas in recent years: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Well, we aren’t about to adhere to that. We can’t wait to tell the world what happened in Vegas. For some time now, Las Vegas has become the summer home of not only the NBA but also the NBRPA’s Legends Summer Getaway, and this past summer was no different. This year, there was a slight twist; instead of holding the annual rendezvous during NBA Summer League events, the NBRPA scheduled their events to coincide with USA Basketball’s Las Vegas training camp and preparations ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Year after year, this event has grown, and this year proved to be the biggest yet, with over 200 former players and guests descending onto the latest crown jewel of the Vegas strip: the brand-new and fabulous Fontainebleau resort. The hotel brand that is synonymous with luxury hosted our legends for three days of camaraderie, informational sessions, laughs, golf, and parties.

As the legends arrived at the Fontainebleau, they took in the grandiose entrance, ever-present Art Deco architecture, and incredible amenities that come along with this iconic hotel brand. After all, the Fontainebleau is known for hosting some of Hollywood’s elite throughout its illustrious history, and now it would be home to a who’s who of NBA, WNBA, ABA, and Harlem Globetrotter legends. Fans gawked and snapped pictures as the likes of Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, Derrick Coleman, Spencer Haywood, Nancy Lieberman, Allan Houston, and so many others strolled through the lobby and casino on their way to the NBRPA events. 

Day one commenced with what is the most impactful and beneficial program this organization provides: the NBRPA Health Screenings. Beginning at 7 a.m., legends lined up for their scheduled visits with a battery of health experts who made sure the legends were receiving the proper care. Bloodwork, EKGs, echocardiograms, balance tests, and brain scans were all featured in what is the most comprehensive former-player health program in all of sports. As the health screenings wrapped up, two other staples of NBRPA events began to commence – the Legends Lounge and Legends Media Day. 

The Legends Lounge is the legends’ home away from home and thanks to their diverse stable of partners, this is where the party begins for so many NBRPA events. Legends received their credentials and schedules, caught up with friends, and, of course, showed everyone that they still have that soft touch on their jumpers as they shot hoops on the basketball court set up inside the lounge.  It’s not every day that one can watch Craig Hodges show off his form that won him three NBA 3-point shooting contests, see Harold “Lefty” Williams mesmerize with his ball-handling skills, or enjoy Nancy Lieberman showcasing why her nickname was and still is “Lady Magic.” 

Over the past few years, Legends Media Day has taken on a life of its own. This is where some of the top media from around the world speak to our legends and hear their stories, and this year was no different. The event featured USA TODAY and various podcasts (including “Legends of Sport,” “The Second Half Podcast,” “Legends Media and Entertainment,” and EJ and CJ Williams), preserving the incredible stories and rich history associated with the NBRPA.

The opening day continued with exclusive member programming, including the Emerging Opportunities Summit that was hosted by NBA legend Stephen Bardo and featured speakers such as Derrick Coleman, Mieko Perez, Alando Tucker, and Temple University’s Dr. Jonathan Howe discussing business opportunities around cannabis, real estate, and the newly created educational partnership with Temple University, respectively. Not to be outdone, NBA legend Walter Bond gave a preview of his acclaimed motivational speaking seminar “Who Said Talk is Cheap? How To Convert Your Story Into Millions” to a packed room of attentive members. 

As evening descended on Sin City, it was time for some fun, and we were in for a treat. As Team USA readied to take the court against Team Canada at T-Mobile Arena, NBRPA members filed into the energized arena to watch the U.S. men’s basketball team in their final U.S. tune-up before the Olympic games. However, this wasn’t your ordinary exhibition basketball game. As USA Basketball celebrated its 50th anniversary as an organization, we were proud to assist in helping bring back legends who made the U.S. a basketball superpower and honoring those who left their mark on international basketball. Where else can members of the 1992 U.S. Dream Team, the 1996 U.S. women’s team, the 2008 Redeem Team, and so many other gold medal-winning Olympians be feted in front of a frenzied basketball-loving crowd? Only in Las Vegas. If that wasn’t enough, the legends were graced by the presence of none other than former President Barack Obama, who hugged, high-fived, and dapped up our legends from his courtside seat. This was truly a night to experience, and it no doubt helped buoy the U.S. team to a victory over Canada. Following the celebration and game, the legends headed to Topgolf Las Vegas to show off their golf swings, eat, drink, and mingle with this extended basketball family.

Day two continued the great vibes as the legends grabbed their golf gear and headed out to the impressive Bali Hai Golf Club for a morning on the links. The NBRPA, in partnership with the NBPA, hosted the morning golf round where legends tee’d off, putted, and talked trash to each other as only legends can. Not even 117-degree heat can keep our legends from playing their full rounds and showing us why they truly are legends. For legends who did not take part in the golf outing, the NBRPA hosted their Brunch N’ Bubbles event, which featured an incredible food buffet and champagne at the Fontainebleau.

Day two continued with two more informational panels for our members, including the NBRPA Health Summit presented by Endeavor Health and the Mental Health and Wellness panel. The Health Summit showcased the innovative partnership between the NBRPA and Endeavor Health that is centered around Endeavor’s exclusive concierge service that is offered to all NBRPA members and featured experts in orthopedics, cardiology, urology, and neurology discussing their respective areas. The NBRPA Mental Health and Wellness panel brought WNBA legend Leslie Johnson, NBA Legend John Wallace, and Dr. Kensa Gunter, who serves as the Director of NBA Mind Health, the league’s mental health, wellness, and performance program. With golf and panels completed, it was time to do what Las Vegas does best: PARTY! NBRPA members, guests, partners, and VIPs took over the famed LIV nightclub in the Fontainebleau, where drinks flowed, hits played, and legends danced into the wee hours of the morning.

On the last day of the Legends Summer Getaway, the NBRPA once again teamed up with the NBPA to present our members with an opportunity to discuss the pension package for our members. NBPA general counsel Ron Klempner discussed this and answered any questions that the legends had on the inner workings of the pension program that so many of them have to come to depend on. Then, NBRPA members were treated to a delicious breakfast and the annual all-members meeting. As the legends said their goodbyes, checked out of the hotel, and waited for their rides to the airport or other destinations, one common phrase was heard over and over again: “We can’t wait to do this again next year!”

Neither can we, and we hope to see you all again next year!

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