FIBA Bans Basketball Teams From Registration Of New Players

The expansion of the overseas market has been a blessing for basketball players and their agents.  With more teams, better competition, and rising salaries, overseas teams have become a nice destination for basketball players who have little to no shot of playing in the NBA.  While the salaries look good on paper, not all teams follow through with paying American players on time.  To make matters even worse, some teams are guilty of not paying certain players at all.

FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, contains an Arbitral Tribunal (FAT), which is a service for the resolution of disputes between players, agents and clubs through arbitration.  All agents should include the FIBA Arbitral Tribunal Arbitration Clause in their players’ contracts with foreign clubs.  Inclusion of the clause requires teams to be bound by FAT and honor FAT awards.  Teams that do not honor FAT awards should be avoided at all costs.

FIBA recently sent an email to its registered agents, providing a list of clubs who are currently banned by FIBA from registration of new players based on ignoring FAT awards.