By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The worst case scenario happened. The Greek clubs voted in favor of the postponement of the start of the season. To be exact, in the general assembly of the league (ESAKE) eleven teams chose to vote in favor of the postponement, Olympiacos and Kavala voted against it and Panathinaikos abstained.
Why the clubs decided not to play basketball this weekend? Their owners believe that with this decision they can pressure the Greek national television, the only television station which seems to be interested in the league’s television rights, to upgrade its offer. However, in devastated economic environment and with new austerity measures in the country’s horizon, nobody knows if the national television can spend more money than the 1,27 million euros it offers.
The argument of the basketball league is that the state through its betting and lottery company (OPAP) gives a lot more money to the football leagues and the balance should change in favor of basketball. It’s also a common secret that many teams voted for the postponement, because, due to economic woes, they started their training camp late, signed players at the last moment and they feel that they are not yet ready for official games.
The official press release of the league states: “With full awareness of the conditions in our country and with the strong belief that professional basketball is not treated according to its dynamic, its credibility and its successes, the board of ESAKE, with sorrow, decided the indefinite postponement of the start of the season 2012-13”.