The NFLPA and NBAPA are wildly ineffective and are unable to adequately advocate for their players’ needs.
However, I would chalk that up to immature and young guys not voting for their best interests. When you’re up against the best leaders and lawyers money can buy, your union is bound to seem ineffective.
It's also an unsympathetic postion from the outsider. These are multi-million dollar salaries that are making complaints about locker room amenities and what not. Complaining about having to play 3 days out of 7 also falls on deaf ears a bit. You're being paid to play a game at the most elite levels purely for entertainment purposes. Rather than complaining about playing time, how about asking "are you not entertained?" If you're too tired, sit on the bench and let someone else play.
However, I would chalk that up to immature and young guys not voting for their best interests. When you’re up against the best leaders and lawyers money can buy, your union is bound to seem ineffective.