Rome, September 23, 2025 – The World Players Association (WPA) held its World Assembly on 21–22 September in Rome, marking the inaugural meeting since becoming an independent entity. The Assembly represents a historic milestone in the organization’s evolution, with its new structure — based in Ireland — designed to increase global impact and strengthen strategies to connect members, including through commercial opportunities.
In Rome, Executive Director Walter Palmer presented the vision and mission of the new organization. “Our clear mandate coming out of this Assembly is to do all we can to help our members succeed at the bargaining table,” Palmer said. “We believe strongly that collective bargaining is the essential foundation for good governance in sport. Where sport is regulated by collective bargaining, or social dialogue, we find strong foundations of legal certainty, accountability, and with thriving commercial environments that benefit all stakeholders. Our new strategy reflects our commitment to the rule of law and represents our stand against the governance failures and corruption that often occurs when sports organizations self-appropriate the power of the state for their own commercial benefit.”
As part of this new chapter, WPA also announced the launch of the World Players Institute — a platform dedicated to research, education, and training that will strengthen the capacity of player associations and drive innovation in collective representation across sports and regions.
Previously operating as a sector within UNI Global Union — a global federation representing more than 20 million workers across multiple industries — WPA will remain a natural partner of UNI, with a dedicated sport sector continuing within the organization. The new structure allows WPA to focus more directly on player union priorities while maintaining strong alliances with global labor stakeholders.
Key outcomes of the Assembly included the confirmation of members of the Executive Committee, the adoption of the financial and management reports, and an in-depth discussion of the new strategic framework that will guide WPA’s work in the years ahead. Beyond governance matters, delegates shared concrete organizing experiences that highlight the growing strength of the global players’ movement.
The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) presented its campaign that secured improved conditions for women athletes. The Women’s Sport Working Group reported on strategies to address gender-specific challenges, while education and training initiatives showcased how unions are preparing new generations of player leaders. From Italy, unions reflected on the impact of the landmark 2022 sports reform law, which recognized players’ professional status, while other associations presented progress on collective bargaining agreements across sports — from baseball and basketball to cricket and football — underscoring the central role of negotiation in advancing athletes’ rights worldwide.
The Assembly was held jointly with the Annual Assembly of the European Athletes and Players Association (EAPA), which represents more than 25,000 athletes across Europe. EAPA General Secretary Paulina Tomczyk welcomed the collaboration, noting:
“We are very proud to host this General Assembly with our colleagues from the World Players Association here in Rome. Holding this meeting in Europe is not only symbolic but deeply meaningful: Europe has long been central to shaping the international sport landscape. In a spirit of solidarity and cooperation, we can strengthen the global players’ movement while driving progress on athlete rights and sport governance through our work at the European level.”
Discussions also highlighted the critical role of the EU and its influence on international regulation — from landmark cases such as Diarra to evolving EU policy frameworks — underlining the importance of engaging stakeholders across the sport ecosystem, including federations, governments, sponsors, and civil society.
About the World Players Association
The World Players Association is the global voice of organized athletes, representing more than 85,000 players through over 100 associations in 60+ countries. We unite athletes across sports and continents to protect their rights, improve working conditions, and strengthen their collective influence. Guided by the vision of a world of sport that is collectively bargained, we empower player associations, foster solidarity, and inspire change to create fairer, more sustainable sports industries for all.
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