NBA players under contract can now play in FIBA-endorsed leagues as long as their deals include opt-out clauses allowing them to return to North America when the lockout is lifted. The ruling also includes the stipulation that players agree deals at their own risk of injury.
"As the world governing body for basketball, we strongly hope that the labour dispute will be resolved as soon as possible, and that the NBA season is able to begin as scheduled," said FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann. "In view of our role to promote basketball worldwide, we support any player wishing to play the game, wherever and whenever. We do so while obviously taking the interests, rights and obligations of all parties into account."
New Jersey Nets All-Star Deron Williams has already agreed a deal with Turkish club Besiktas, who have also been courting Los Angeles Lakers ace Kobe Bryant. National Basketball Player’s Association (NBPA) executive director Billy Hunter has given his approval to the news with many commentators speculating that the prospect of players moving abroad may provide a catalyst to the ongoing labour talks.
Hunter said: "We have consistently advised our members that in the event of a lockout they would have the right to be compensated for playing basketball irrespective of whether they were under contract to an NBA team or not. We have encouraged all of our players to pursue such opportunities and will continue to do so."
Friday’s news comes as the NBA and NBPA prepare to meet this week in New York for their first post-lockout negotiating session. The NBA locked out its players on July 1 after eleventh-hour talks over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ended in stalemate. The major sticking point came in the division of basketball-related revenue between the players and the owners.
