By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The Spanish players union (ABP) decided on Friday to hold a press conference, announcing an ultimatum to the league (ACB). If their demands are not met in a 48 hours window – until the games of the 34th and last regular season gameday – the players are threatening to go on a strike that will put in danger the play offs.
Juan Carlos Navarro of Barcelona was the most notable name among the players who were present in the press conference and ABP president Jose Luis Llorente said: “We have to defend our rights, we want to return in the negotiations’ table in the next 48 hours if our terms are accepted”.
The ten terms of the players’ ultimatum are the following:
- Increase minimum salary (nowadays is 25.000 euros).
- Double the current coverage of the Guarantee Fund (it’s 270.000 euros per club) and streamlining their procedures.
- The teams that aren’t consistent on payments cannot use “derecho de tanteo” – a form of restricted free agency – to keep their players.
- Freedom of contract, without restriction, for the players who choose to terminate their contract under “R. Decreto 1006” (it’s the law that regulate the relationship of professional players in Spain of all sports and give to the players the right to terminate their contract unilaterally. By doing so, a judge is appointed on the case and the player can’t sign an other contract until there is a decision from the judge about the compensation of the player).
- Increase the qualifying offer before “derecho de tanteo” from 55% to 100%.
- Exclusion from the competition of those clubs which make use of insolvency proceedings.
- Preserve social fund.
- Regulation of temporary disability.
- Bigger Christmas Holidays.
- Teams which owe money to the players should not have the right to sign new players during the season.
At this point there is not an official reaction by the league.