By Aris Barkas/ barkas@Eurohoops.net
Acknowledging Kevin Pangos signing a contract with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, CSKA noted that the previous contract signed by the Canadian point guard to join the Moscow outfit was terminated ‘unilaterally’ and added the possibility of going to court for a buyout.
“Pangos signed a three-year agreement with CSKA in February this year, but did not appear at the location of the Muscovites,” reads the press release issued Thursday, “The club is considering the possibility of going to the court to receive the buyout provided by the contract with CSKA.”
CSKA emphatically ruling out the recent rumors of reaching a settlement agreement for the early termination of the contract complicates the status of Pangos.
The Milan outfit does not intend to pay a buyout for Pangos nor for the projected move of German big man Johannes Voigtmann from CSKA, per Eurohoops sources. Both deals were done before the end of the 2021-22 season but not securing the letter of clearance of the players delayed the official confirmations. Presumably, announcing the addition of Pangos translates into getting the LOCs.
Eurohoops has contacted FIBA for the official response on the situation regarding the letter of clearances and will update accordingly.
Pangos, 29, penned a contract until the end of the 2023-24 season with the team based in Moscow, as officially announced five months ago. However, the stint at CSKA was abandoned. Euroleague Basketball opting to withdraw the participation of all Russian teams from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war led to multiple players departing the country. In his case, the former Gonzaga standout did not make the trip to Moscow.
Multiple similar situations included a buyout for the players leaving Russian clubs over the last few months. If Pangos detached himself from CSKA to become a free agent and sign at Milan with FIBA clearing the move, it would be the first of its kind.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net