It’s neither anti- nor pro-labor; it simply exists in the context of a strong players’ union and a league that enforces constraints on team payrolls in order to promote equity between large and small market teams.

And I agree with you; the reason to ask this question is because it is something that is quoted in the article (in a screenshot, so don't try to ctrl-F for it ;P) as part of the background zeitgeist opinion on the premise.