By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
Tradition itself doesn’t pay the bills, it’s proven constantly in European sports and as we approaching the upcoming season three clubs, Valladolid in ACB and also Split and Zadar in Croatia are facing bankruptcy.
All three teams have past unpaid debts – in the cases of Valladolid and Split are reported around 2,5 and 7 million euros respectively – didn’t made any move in the market, Split and Zadar don’t even have a coach and if they can’t get financial help, probably from local state authorities, they are doomed. Also, as it was announced via twitter by the Spanish club on Friday, Mike Hansen resigned from president.
For the Croatian clubs that will mean both teams starting from scratch with a new name in the third Croatian division. Split, under the sponsorship and the name Jugoplastica and latter Pop84, won the Euroleague three times in a row (1989, 1990, 1991) having it its roster among others Tony Kukoc and Dino Radja.