By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
The coronavirus COVID-19 has brought the basketball world to its knees. However, Anadolu Efes, Real Madrid, and Valencia are the three teams that informed players on covering their contracts, according to Eurohoops sources.
The immediate impact on the sport includes the suspension of all competition and also the financial issues attached to postponed and canceled games.
These three participants in Europe’s premier club competition have guaranteed the contracts signed for the 2019-20 season, while the FC Barcelona players accepted proposed salary cuts and many others are still in talks with their players.
It also has to be noted that the foreign players of those three clubs have not traveled back to their home countries, and especially in the case of Efes, which was leading both the EuroLeague and the Turkish BSL, the players are still practicing individually as coach Ergin Ataman admitted.
Other clubs can follow either direction, but nothing is concrete yet. Since there’s not a CBA in the EuroLeague, despite a general suggestion from the clubs about the matter that includes salary cuts as Serb agent Misko Raznatovic publicly announced.
EuroLeague can resume the season in the summer, provided safe conditions for players and teams are achieved. Health concerns lifted remain the top priority for those involved.