<P> The NBA had a salary cap in the mid-1940s , but it was abolished after only one season . The league continued to operate without such a cap until 1984 -- 85 season , when one was instituted in an attempt to level the playing field among all of the NBA 's teams and ensure competitive balance for the League in the future . Before the cap was reinstated , teams could spend whatever amount of money they wanted on players , but in the first season under the new cap , they were each limited to $3.6 million in total payroll . </P>
<P> The NBA had a salary cap in the mid-1940s , but it was abolished after only one season . The league continued to operate without such a cap until 1984 -- 85 season , when one was instituted in an attempt to level the playing field among all of the NBA 's teams and ensure competitive balance for the League in the future . Before the cap was reinstated , teams could spend whatever amount of money they wanted on players , but in the first season under the new cap , they were each limited to $3.6 million in total payroll . </P>
when did the salary cap start in the nba
when did the salary cap start in the nba
1984 -- 85 season
1984 -- 85 season