Basketball league season start in doubt as clubs and players fail to agree on pay

The start of the new basketball season is in serious doubt after talks between the league and the players’ union broke down on Monday, with players threatening to sit out the opening rounds unless clubs agree to minimum salaries and guaranteed on-time payments.

The season is scheduled to begin in three weeks, with champions Riverton Hawks hosting Port Alden in the opening game. Arena staff say preparations are continuing, but ticket sales have slowed sharply since the dispute became public.

Unpaid wages at the center

The conflict has been building for months. According to the union, players at four of the league’s twelve clubs were paid late at least three times last season, and some are still waiting for money from the spring.

We love this game, but we cannot keep playing for promises. Players have rent and families too.

Andrej Kovač, president of the players’ union and Riverton Hawks guard

The union wants a minimum monthly salary for all registered players and a fund, managed by the league, that would pay wages if a club falls behind. Clubs say smaller teams cannot afford the proposal without new money from sponsors or television rights.

Nobody disputes that players must be paid. The question is who pays when a small club’s budget simply is not there.

Helena Strand, league chief executive

What happens next

The two sides will meet again on Thursday with a mediator from the sports ministry. If there is no deal by the end of next week, the league says it may postpone the first two rounds rather than cancel them outright.

Several clubs have already lost foreign players who signed elsewhere during the summer, partly because of the uncertainty. Coaches warn that a delayed start could squeeze the calendar later in the season, when the national team also has qualifying games.

Fans’ groups have backed the players, with supporters of the Hawks planning a silent protest outside the arena during next week’s preseason friendly. The league has asked supporters to keep buying season tickets, promising full refunds for any games that are canceled.