Delfino to Khimki (Russia)

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I don't think the NBA risk much for the moment. There is still much more money in the NBA that in the Europe. Of course, at some point, the NBA may be forced to rethink a few things if they want to keep all the top talents (rookie scale, salary cap, draft process...).

Spain

FC Barcelona = billionaire owners
Real Madrid = billionaire owners
TAU = billionaire owners

Russia

CSKA = billionaire owners
Dynamo = billionaire owners
Khmiki = billionaire owners
UNICS = billionaire owners

Greece

Panathinaikos = billionaire owners
Olympiacos = billionaire owners

Turkey

Fenerbahche = billionaire owners
Efes = billionaire owners


This is either owners is billionaires with personal money or is billionaires with money from business they have or from money from the sports club that is revenue of all sports most from soccer, or is value of all things together and stocks. There is more in Europe but I list ones that is related to top basketball clubs at moment.

There is plenty of money for Europe to compete with NBA it just that only is a recent thing that these owners start to do so. Basketball federations and Euroleague in last year have made decision to compete with NBA.

[ElNono]

Here's a link in Spanish: LINK

Says Detroit offered 12 Million for 3 years. It also says, He's going to be making more money than Ginobili. 10M vs the 9.9M Manu is set to make this year. And after taxes the difference is even bigger. At that point Delfino will probably end up with about 7.3M/year...
He will turn into the 3rd best paid player in Europe, behind Papaloukas and Jasikevicius, both from Greece.

Anyways, IMHO, completely overpaid for a player they could have had for a lot less.

[mountainballer]

And big players of club get FREE villa on coast, free sports car, free yacht.

I see. the seaside Villa and the Yacht was the major reason for Delfino to sign with Khimki. he should have checked his old school atlas before he signed.

[mathbzh]

I don't think the NBA risk much for the moment.

Read my post, I do not really disagree with you.
I don't have much insight on how much money Euroleague owners really want to throw in their basketball team. Maybe some day Euroleague will be a true compe or for the NBA. Maybe it will happen sooner than expected. Maybe it will never happen.
Why? Because it depends on a bunch of billionaires falling in love with basketball... or not...

But, I think Euroleague can allready force the NBA to adjust its rules. And this simple fact is a huge change in the basketball world.

About billionaires:
I am french, in France Hockey is a minor sport. When I was younger, just after the Albertville winter games, a rich man (may be not billionaire but almost) though hockey would be the next big thing in France. He bought the club of Brest (it was playing in the second french league) and some of the best european players. At the end of the season, Brest was in the first league. After two season they won a le... then he realized Hockey would never be a major sport in France, took his money back. End of story, back to the lower divisions.

I don't tell you it will happen to European basketball team... just that with billionaires you never know.


And it is not like there is no billionaire in the USA
Paul Allen

[mountainballer]

About billionaires:
I am french, in France Hockey is a minor sport. When I was younger, just after the Albertville winter games, a rich man (may be not billionaire but almost) though hockey would be the next big thing in France. He bought the club of Brest (it was playing in the second french league) and some of the best european players. At the end of the season, Brest was in the first league. After two season they won a le... then he realized Hockey would never be a major sport in France, took his money back. End of story, back to the lower divisions.

I don't tell you it will happen to European basketball team... just that with billionaire you never know.

I just wanted to start writing something similar. you are absolutely right. if it's just some rich people, who put some money into the teams, it won't last for long.

yes, basketball has become more popular in the last 10 years in Europe. but there is still a huge gap to soccer. rich people that really want to get the media attention and all the celebrity stuff won't go into BB. they will go the Abramovic way. I really can't see that BB will ever get that kind of a high society factor in Europe like it is in the USA. and that's why the whole billionaire stuff is BS. you need a structure and millions of kids who play a sport, to bring it to such a high level like the NBA. that's why I don't see Europe close the gap. yes, it will become smaller and the level of compe ion will get better every year in Europe.

and please, people don't forget. the major factor still is the exchange rate. from 2002 the Euro more than doubled it's value compared to the $. but this is something that might also change quickly. it's not that an export economy like the EU is happy about the strong Euro and the weak $. just the opposite.

[temujin]

I would be happy to bring my kids to see Novitski or Parker or Calderon live.

Better yet, Manu, to show them what baskeball is all about.

I am not going to bring my kids to see Delfino.

19 millions Euros (GROSS, KBP, OK?) for 3 freaking years of Carlos Delfino is just ridiculous, grotesque,
and it is EXACTLY what Euroleague teams should NOT do.

Delfino did not make any difference in the Argentine team.
He did not make any difference in the NBA.
He will not make any difference in kimki.

Kimki? By the way where the is kimki?

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I would be happy to bring my kids to see Novitski or Parker or Calderon live.

Better yet, Manu, to show them what baskeball is all about.

I am not going to bring my kids to see Delfino.

19 millions Euros (GROSS, KBP, OK?) for 3 freaking years of Carlos Delfino is just ridiculous, grotesque,
and it is EXACTLY what Euroleague teams should NOT do.

Delfino did not make any difference in the Argentine team.
He did not make any difference in the NBA.
He will not make any difference in kimki.

Kimki? By the way where the is kimki?

Is in Khimki Russia in Moscow region.

[freddy79]

There's one important thing to say: Eurobasket is not only growing, it's also becoming to "stole" players from NBA. In the beginning, in Europe were coming American players at the end of their careers. In the last years, European players who came back from NBA were the ones who never played (Tskitishvili, Kasun, Lampe, and so on...). In the last 4-5 years, something changed: for NBA teams is not so easy take European players: look at Vazquez (selected from Orlando), Scola (selected from the Spurs, but he came only last year, after a long struggle between Spurs and TAU), Splitter (Spurs-TAU round 2: I'm not sure that with NBA rookie scal he'll ever dress a black-gray-white uniform...), Pekovic (who did EVERYTHING he could to be selected in the second round). It's happening something more unespected: European mid-level players are starting to COME BACK!!! The thing is pretty known: THEY WANT to play in the NBA (look at press conferences of Navarro and Delfino after season ended), but they HAVE to COME BACK to EUROPE: it's not a matter of 500.000 dollars!!! If Delfino would have accepted the Pistons offer, he would have losed 18 MILLION DOLLARS in 3 years!!!! I know, Delfino and Navarro are midlevel players...but, THINK: if Delfino takes in Europe MORE THAN what GINOBILI takes in NBA, HOW MANY MONEY WOULD an EUROPEAN TEAM OFFER to take GINOBILI??? That's what will happen, sooner than expected: remember about last year's Kirilenko situation? CSKA would have taken him WITH HIS HUGE CONTRACT, if Jazz would have left him free!!!! You'll see: next Kirilenko big contract will come from Russia, not NBA....this could easily happen also for American players: NBA owners could spend more money, but salary cap (and LUXURY TAX) will always be a problem in this way...

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I see. the seaside Villa and the Yacht was the major reason for Delfino to sign with Khimki. he should have checked his old school atlas before he signed.

You must be idiot.

[TMTTRIO]

but, THINK: if Delfino takes in Europe MORE THAN what GINOBILI takes in NBA, HOW MANY MONEY WOULD an EUROPEAN TEAM OFFER to take GINOBILI???

I was thinking about that a little bit yesterday. I know Manu has recently said something like if he couldn't stay with the Spurs or be with a good team he would seriously consider going back to Europe to play and I can see that he would end up there if they threw a lot out there for him.

[freddy79]

I was thinking about that a little bit yesterday. I know Manu has recently said something like if he couldn't stay with the Spurs or be with a good team he would seriously consider going back to Europe to play and I can see that he would end up there if they threw a lot out there for him.

It's not unlikely: in Europe, he could get a very good contract, and play more years than in NBA...I know FOR SURE that Ginobili LOVES playing basketball: after all, I think that he'll stay with the Spurs, but IF they decide not to keep him, I see him likely coming back to Europe...and not only him: in 4-5 years, bigger European prospects could choose between the 2 options not thinking about money (or preferring European offers). NBA has to do something about that...

[nil.ball]

"Show me the money!"

[T Park]

The invisible hand of economics.

One day the euro economy is gonna go down along with the euro and then the balance of power will be back twords the USA and NBA again.

[ElNono]

There's one important thing to say: Eurobasket is not only growing, it's also becoming to "stole" players from NBA. In the beginning, in Europe were coming American players at the end of their careers. In the last years, European players who came back from NBA were the ones who never played (Tskitishvili, Kasun, Lampe, and so on...). In the last 4-5 years, something changed: for NBA teams is not so easy take European players: look at Vazquez (selected from Orlando), Scola (selected from the Spurs, but he came only last year, after a long struggle between Spurs and TAU), Splitter (Spurs-TAU round 2: I'm not sure that with NBA rookie scal he'll ever dress a black-gray-white uniform...), Pekovic (who did EVERYTHING he could to be selected in the second round). It's happening something more unespected: European mid-level players are starting to COME BACK!!! The thing is pretty known: THEY WANT to play in the NBA (look at press conferences of Navarro and Delfino after season ended), but they HAVE to COME BACK to EUROPE: it's not a matter of 500.000 dollars!!! If Delfino would have accepted the Pistons offer, he would have losed 18 MILLION DOLLARS in 3 years!!!! I know, Delfino and Navarro are midlevel players...but, THINK: if Delfino takes in Europe MORE THAN what GINOBILI takes in NBA, HOW MANY MONEY WOULD an EUROPEAN TEAM OFFER to take GINOBILI??? That's what will happen, sooner than expected: remember about last year's Kirilenko situation? CSKA would have taken him WITH HIS HUGE CONTRACT, if Jazz would have left him free!!!! You'll see: next Kirilenko big contract will come from Russia, not NBA....this could easily happen also for American players: NBA owners could spend more money, but salary cap (and LUXURY TAX) will always be a problem in this way...

Ever heard of paragraphs?

[rapliketp]

That $30 million figure sounds like rubbish. Why would the Ruskies pay more than double his market price? Why would they pay such an amount when the best players in Europe are getting half that amount?

[GSH]

The globalization of basketball will likely lead to the death of the Spurs one day. One day in the not too distant future, a couple of those European owners are going to try to field the best teams money can buy. To do that, they'll give rookies ridiculous contracts that will trump the NBA rookie salary scale. In response, the NBA will have to start loosening up those restraints. The Euro teams will then start sniping away more and more legitimate NBA talent, which will force the NBA to loosen restraints all the way around. The Spurs barely survive now ... with loosened restraints and the championship years a thing of the past, the Spurs will become extinct due to the inability to keep up in the arms race.

The only way the above doesn't happen is if the US economy becomes overwhelming dominant and basketball stops growing at its current speed. It's unlikely that both will happen so better enjoy these Spurs while they are in existence because it won't last forever.

It's funny that David Stern has stressed the globalization of the NBA but didn't realize how it could one day have a massive negative affect on his league.

I've been wondering if they are trying to force the NBA's hand in creating a world league. I agree that they are going to crater the rookie scale soon, especially with the US dollar being so weak. But I don't think that they can pay greater than NBA salaries forever, unless their own revenues expand drastically.

If they were to pay the kinds of salaries being tossed around, it wouldn't be difficult to rack up a team salary of $100 Million, not including any of the additional perks, taxes, etc. I don't know what kind of broadcast deals they have, or who provides the arenas for Euro teams. But I wouldn't be surprised if a Euro team with a $100 Million salary outlay lost $50 Million per season. Nobody, not even a billionaire, would continue to give up 5% of their total wealth each year, unless they saw some kind of upside in the future.

Buying a $50 Million yacht, or collecting $50 Million worth of fine art or wine - those are hobbies. And those things retain value. But the money lost running a team is gone, unless they think they are investing in the future. Maybe I'm wrong, but those guys didn't become billionaires by being sloppy businessmen.

But I totally agree that if they escalate the salary war (and they certainly will) the first casualties will be teams like the Spurs.

[waly.mg]

i don´t see a real problem for the NBA, but probably the NBA must to make some adjustements:
The Players buyout form Europe, specially if the team drafted the player.
For ex; IF the team have Draft Rights can pay the full buyout, not only 500.000 because if the players have rookie scale, if he´s a late 1st round can won only 1 million dollars, and with a buyout of 2 millions, the player must to pay to play in the NBA, and a differente thing if he´s a Free Agent, because the team can pay more money.
Or the possibility for trades with no NBA teams

[temujin]

The invisible hand of economics.

One day the euro economy is gonna go down along with the euro and then the balance of power will be back twords the USA and NBA again.

Not untill the US economy takes up twice the amount of energy to generate the same unit of GNP.
Or untill the oil is back to $50.

Good luck.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

The invisible hand of economics.

One day the euro economy is gonna go down along with the euro and then the balance of power will be back twords the USA and NBA again.

US dollar is devalued. You cannot bring dollar value back up once this happen because your government print to much money to solve stupid economic systems like borrow from China and buy cheap good while send all production job to other country.

If you think dollar will ever come back you must have get F in economy class.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

That $30 million figure sounds like rubbish. Why would the Ruskies pay more than double his market price? Why would they pay such an amount when the best players in Europe are getting half that amount?

He is 3rd highest pay player in Europe. Saras and Papaloukas make more than this.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I've been wondering if they are trying to force the NBA's hand in creating a world league. I agree that they are going to crater the rookie scale soon, especially with the US dollar being so weak. But I don't think that they can pay greater than NBA salaries forever, unless their own revenues expand drastically.

If they were to pay the kinds of salaries being tossed around, it wouldn't be difficult to rack up a team salary of $100 Million, not including any of the additional perks, taxes, etc. I don't know what kind of broadcast deals they have, or who provides the arenas for Euro teams. But I wouldn't be surprised if a Euro team with a $100 Million salary outlay lost $50 Million per season. Nobody, not even a billionaire, would continue to give up 5% of their total wealth each year, unless they saw some kind of upside in the future.

Buying a $50 Million yacht, or collecting $50 Million worth of fine art or wine - those are hobbies. And those things retain value. But the money lost running a team is gone, unless they think they are investing in the future. Maybe I'm wrong, but those guys didn't become billionaires by being sloppy businessmen.

But I totally agree that if they escalate the salary war (and they certainly will) the first casualties will be teams like the Spurs.

Depend. Is cultural thing. Panathinaikos last year have $25 million in the revenue for BASKETBALL. They spend $45 million on basketball team so they have loss of $20 million for just basketball team. For whole sports club Panathinaikos have revenue last year $1.2 BILLION profit.

So lose $20 million for just basketball is not even issue. Anyway Euroleague President tell big owners of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos since they is make most revenue on basketball in Europe he tell them last year their is new policy. Euroleague want compete with NBA so teams must make effort to make money in basketball. So both teams expand merchandise, makes games available online, and they both sign huge TV contract to show all home games even ones in Greek league for all in Europe.

TV deal is worth the $50 million per year for each team. So now even basketball team will be make profit. So team is closer to $1.3 billion profit now. You think owners have any worry about how much revenue team make? Show me NBA team that have $1.3 billion profit for year.

[Spurtacus]

Has Delfino to Russia been confirmed 100%?

[kolko]

Has Delfino to Russia been confirmed 100%?

Yes, he will sign his contract next Monday, in Madrid.

[biba]

Marc Stein: Last Blast from Vegas

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...A-Notes-080719

Sources say Delfino will be earning nearly 3 million Euros annually -- tax free, of course -- with his new club. One expert on the matter says that equates to an NBA salary of more than $9 million when you factor in the exchange rate and the tax money Delfino won't have to give back.


Unless this expert is KBP, we have a stong confirmation of KBP statements.

[biba]

By the way, Stein adds:

But Garbajosa is expected to accept a similarly healthy compensation package from his hometown club in Spain -- Unicaja Malaga -- despite interest from the San Antonio Spurs.