By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
ECA Shareholders Executive Board met remotely on Thursday (April 23) and has made decisions on two crucial topics.
It has been decided to make the final call on the competition of the 2019-20 season by May 24 and an agreement on minimum obligations and guarantees has been reached between EuroLeague clubs and ELPA (EuroLeague Players Association).
The agreements were reached in each of the three current/potential scenarios, the first being the current situation while the competition is suspended. Also in the case of the season getting resumed and completed as well as if it gets canceled.
Per EuroLeague:
Whilst the competitions remain suspended:
– Players will be able to return to their home cities temporarily at their responsibility, recommending that players follow government and public health authorities’ guidelines
– Pending 2019-20 player salary payments are postponed
If the health and safety conditions necessary for all participants exist, the 2019-20 EuroLeague season will resume. If this is then completed:
– Player contracts for the 2019-20 season are extended until 31 July 2020
– 85% of player base salaries for the 2019-20 season will be paid by clubs, no later than 15 August 2020
If the 2019-20 EuroLeague season is canceled and not completed:
– player contracts for the 2019-20 EuroLeague season are considered finished
– for multi-season player contracts, obligations for clubs and players will resume as of 1 July 2020
– 80% of player base salaries for the 2019-20 season will be paid by clubs no later than 15 August 2020
The president of ELPA, Gigi Datome, commented on the agreement: “ELPA members showed big unity in these negotiations and gave an example on how players’ association should be functioning. I would like to thank everybody for their time and effort, as well as the clubs for hearing the players’ voices. As players, we realize this is a difficult time for sports and business in general. I am proud that we could find an agreement for the good of players, clubs and EuroLeague. This agreement is a precedent in European basketball because it showcased good cooperation between clubs and players not only on domestic but also on an international level.”
Euroleague Basketball, the Management Control Commission and the Finance Panel will continue to monitor all parties to ensure that they comply with their obligations listed above.
Conversations with the EuroLeague Head Coaches Board (EHCB) remain ongoing, with the goal to also reach a league-wide settlement agreement.