FIBA grants approval to the overseas adventures of NBA players – Basketball News
FIBA, the world’s governing body for basketball, announced on Friday that it will not stand in the way of NBA player’s going abroad. The current lockout has resulted in a mass exodus of NBA players overseas, especially in Europe.
FIBA’s announcement has now cleared their way.
Players under contract with an NBA franchise require a letter from FIBA in order to play for another team, be it in Europe or elsewhere. This fact gained a new found importance when the NBA lockout began on July 1, 2011. NBA players,
disillusioned by the stance of David Stern and the NBA owners, began looking at options to play abroad.
The sheer numbers willing to move base, put the spotlight on FIBA and whether they would allow the moves to take place, with some people viewing the whole situation as controversial.
However, FIBA has now declared their intent to not stand in the way of NBA players, although there is a small condition attached. The letter will only be given to players who have an escape clause in their contracts which will
allow then to return to the NBA once the lockout ends.
FIBA Secretary General and IOC member, Patrick Baumann announced the decision Friday,
“As the world governing body for basketball, we strongly hope that the labour dispute will be resolved as soon as possible, and that the NBA season is able to begin as scheduled,”
“In view of our role to promote basketball worldwide, we support any player wishing to play the game, wherever and whenever. We do so while obviously taking the interests, rights and obligations of all parties into account,” he
added. “We are delighted to see that, in spite of widespread doubts related to the lockout, National Teams competing in this summer’s Olympic Qualifiers will be able to count on the participation of most of their NBA stars.”
FIBA’s announcement is set to be welcomed by the National Basketball Players Association, which is a representative body of the NBA players. The NBAPA has already openly encouraged its members to seek employment opportunities abroad
as they expect the lockout to last quite a while before a resolution is reached.
A number of NBA players have already signed deals with European teams for next season. Among them is New Jersey Nets star point guard Deron Williams, who will feature for Turkish side Besiktas next season. Williams has a get out
clause in his Besiktas contract which means he will be give the go ahead from FIBA.
The trend of NBA players going overseas is sure to pick up even more now with FIBA’s announcement.
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