Holiday In Spain: T'Wolves' Continue Ricky Rubio Buyout Talks
 |
Rubio Has Said That He Wants To
Part Ways With DKV Joventut Team |
T'Wolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn yesterday remained in Spain while he is "involved in negotiations that likely will lead first-round pick Ricky Rubio away from" his DKV Joventut team and to either the T'Wolves or "another European team, perhaps in a matter of days," according to Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Remaining at issue is DKV Joventut's $6.6M buyout pricetag for Rubio, the "critical matter that prompted Kahn to fly to Spain on Monday." Rubio yesterday told the AP that he "wants to part ways" with DKV, but "actually parting ways through a renegotiated financial deal is something completely different." Zgoda notes the "most likely way around Rubio's buyout dilemma are commercial endorsements that could offset -- and then some -- the price Rubio must pay from his own pocket to earn his freedom," as NBA rules dictate that the T'Wolves can pay no more than $500,000 toward a buyout. A Spanish media report yesterday indicated that Kahn "went to Spain with a list of Minnesota companies willing to sign Rubio to endorsement deals" worth a total of $4M, which could "pay all or most of a renegotiated deal with DKV Joventut." However, Kahn yesterday by text message said that a buyout agreement had not been reached. Zgoda notes NBA Deputy Commissioner & COO Adam Silver "reportedly was involved in a meeting last week in Las Vegas" with Kahn, T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor and Rubio's agent, Dan Fegan (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/23). In St. Paul, Charley Walters reports Rubio told the T'Wolves "shortly after the draft in a private meeting in Minneapolis that he's prepared to play in Minnesota next season" if a buyout can be reached (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/23).
TRIPLE-THREAT POSITION: ESPN's Chris Sheridan reported Rubio has three choices regarding the '09-10 season. Sheridan: "He can come to Minnesota and he can pay that exorbitant buyout. It's going to have to come out of his own pocket, whether it comes from endorsement money or whatever, it's coming out of his pocket. Option No. 2 is to play for a different team in Europe that will contribute more money toward that buyout. Option No. 3 is to sit out of basketball for an entire year and then re-enter the NBA Draft. If he did that, the Minnesota Timberwolves would lose his right unless they went ahead and redrafted him next year" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/22).
STARSEED: ESPN’s Colin Cowherd said Rubio needs to come to the NBA to fulfill his star potential. Cowherd: “You can be the best player in Spain -- it doesn’t matter. You’re not going to get on ESPN. You’re not going to get on all these Web sites. You can play for the Memphis Grizzlies and be terrible, but if you’re great, you’ll get on this network and other networks. The NBA is about stars. … Rubio is fascinating if nothing else, and we will cover him” (“SportsNation,” ESPN2, 7/22).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
NBPA Says Total Player Compensation Down
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NBA Hires Mutombo As Global Ambassador
November 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Nets To N.Y. Not Necessity For Prokhorov
November 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
LeBron Says He May Switch To No. 6 Jersey
November 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NBA Digital Launches NBA TV Companion
November 12, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Ticket Package Offered For Flyers, 76ers
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NBPA Says Total Player Compensation Down
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Magic Johnson, Cisco Team For Initiative
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Nets Finding Unique Ways To Draw Fans
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Grizzlies Optimistic Despite AI Departure
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
