By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The chairman, CEO, and founder of the BeoBasket agency Misko Raznatovic presented to FIBA his official proposition on revising current regulations for standard Agent-Player contracts. The 52-year-old Serbian agent shared the context via twitter.
“Disputes between players and agents in front of BAT are so frequent; it’s apparent that the matter has not been regulated well and that change is necessary. That is the reason why I sent my initiative to FIBA today to change the text of the standard FIBA Agent-Player contract” mentioned Raznatovic.
“I propose that the standard contract reflect the clause from NBA regulations called SPAC that gives both sides (the agent and the player) termination rights with a 15-day notice” he revealed. “There is no reason why, in this matter, Euroleague players should be locked for a period of 2 years. I believe that agents should protect their interests through the quality of their work and their professional approach to each client and not with a document that is signed. My proposal will eliminate almost all disputes between agents and players.”
Concluding: “It is my hope that FIBA will gather other opinions and vote to pass this initiative having only the best interests of everybody. No logic that for instance, one Lauvergne in NBA has the possibility for 15 days termination notice and in Europe, the same player is locked for 2 years.”
The first reaction came from fellow agent Stanislav Ryzhov who tweeted the following: “I believe as “transition period” to normal civilized competitive market we can start with 90-days termination notice. Just to prevent dirty agents who force coaches to take their players even if they are not willing to. Let’s say for the next 2-3 years. But the idea generally is great”.
And OCTAGON Europe Senior director Giorgos Dimitropoulos added also his two cents via twitter while calling out Raznatovic: “Funny day! I have sent official suggestions to FIBA quite a few times during the last 3 years. Among them, on how to protect players&agents from other agents that, along with CROOKED coaches/GMs are FORCING players to switch agent, in order for them to sign with their club. So, my friend Stanislav I guess you are right but you weren’t covering it all & I wanted to emphasize… It will be really interesting to see how an agent who may be addicted to such tactics can survive down the road without them. And it’s also hypocritical that one recommends such a change without mentioning the simple fact, that if there is no protection against such crooked tactics, such change would only be to the benefit of the crooked ones..”.