The Dollar Decline Slippery Slope for The NBA

[Nbadan]

The Spurs got burned when Tiago Splitter decided to continue to be paid in Euros rather than the declining dollar....if this continues, and there's no sigh it won't, the dollars slide could make the NBA an inferior league

NBA Ballers Responding to Strong Euro
Posted on Jul 23, 2008

Last week it was Budweiser that was sold to the Europeans, this week it is the NBA that fell victim to a global economic shift that’s seen the dollar nose-dive vis-à-vis the euro. Respected young forward Josh Childress accepted a fatter offer from a Greek club than the one his U.S. team reportedly was making. He may not be the last.


ESPN:

The deal is the most lucrative current contract in European basketball and the biggest in Euroleague history, according to the Atlanta Journal-Cons ution, which first reported the signing. It follows the decision by top prep prospect Brandon Jennings to sign with an Italian club team rather than play a season at Arizona.

The newspaper reported Monday the Hawks had a deal on the table worth nearly $36 million, with a first-year salary in excess of the midlevel exception of $5.6 million.

“I’ve talked to a few guys, and it could become a trend,” Childress said on a conference call about other Americans following his lead. “I’m not so sure it won’t. It’s different. We thought out of the box a little on this one.”

Linky

[DarkReign]

Pfffft....this has been happening for years in the NHL. It will always be those mid-level guys leaving, with some notable aged veterans.

Just this year, Alexander Radulov (a 22 year old budding superstar forward) signed with the newly formed KHL (formerly the Russian Super League) while still under contract with the Nashville Predators. Jaromir Jagr who is a sure-fire, first ballot hall of famer (for those who dont know) just signed with the same league as well. Radulov was on an entry level deal, but is now making the US$ equivalent of $7 million a year. Jagr was getting offers for $6 a year, whereas the KHL is paying him somewhere near $12 million (equivalent).

There is a downside to drafting and developing non-North American talent. It exposes players to leagues they would have never considered until hearing about them from foreign teammates. But until the NBA loses LeBron, Kobe, Wade, Howard, TimD, etc, it isnt going to impact the game at all.

Make no mistake, the Europeans are exstatic about being able to finally compete financially with the American professional leagues. But they have to overpay by a wide margin to even lure a second-tier talent like Childress, which isnt a good business model longterm.

[Oh, Gee!!]

there's about 20 threads devoted to this subject in the SAS forum--pretty much all of 'em on the first few pages. way to waste bandwith, smart guy.