Geeze, I thought Cotton leaving was a big story...this news is going to blow it out of the water.

LOL

Cooks from Sydney too.

To me, Hodgson opting out is a bigger story than Cotton opting out. Cotton can get a ton of money elsewhere, at least in theory. The same isn't true of Hodgson, so if guys like him are opting out it looks like we're going to see a large number of opt-outs rather than just the elite tier.

Hodgson opted out because he is sought after by the Wildcats.

Wildcats centres will be Angus Brandt and Matt Hodgson.

Not permitted but Brisbane will let him go for more money.

"To me, Hodgson opting out is a bigger story"

^This

If a guy on the level of Hodgson is opting out, this is going to set the NBL back at least 2-3 years. The decision to cut wages was done way too soon.

Why do people think total bankruptcy and folding the league is somehow a better outcome than whatever ends up on the floor this season?

If guys of Hodgson's level opt out en masse, I absolutely 100% guarantee that the majority of opt-outs will play in the NBL next season. There just won't be enough leagues, import spots, and money to go around.

Hodgson opted out of getting a brain when they were handing those out. Absolute dope.

Trying to manage their value. Some times managers get it wrong too in a game of chess. Going to suck for him if the team that may take him change their mind. How long did he have on his contract? Brandt and Hodgson would both be aiming for contracts as number one big, but one of them would end up as backup.

Cooks yes. Cotton yes. Hogdson.... Not so much

I guess he thinks he's going to end up losing minutes to Magnay?

The Sixers could do worse than invite him back under their new coach. He still has his fouling and positioning issues, but has improved in Brisbane and is one of the few NBL big men who can really change shots around the basket.

Could still become a difference maker if invested in for a couple more years and getting a decent import big in the current Covid19 climate could be difficult.

I guess he thinks he's going to end up losing minutes to Magnay?

The Sixers could do worse than invite him back under their new coach.

Is it possible for a player to opt out and the team decline to let him opt back in?

Akin to a mutual termination of contract type thing, Bullets want to give more time to Magnay and focus Hodgsons money elsewhere, Hodgson wants more time so moves on to a different club.

Straight up this is an odd opt out though. Cotton and Kay and aware would make sense, take the risk but get paid at some euro club. Hodgson I don't see making euro bucks especially without a euro passport.

Would love to be a fly on the wall of the convo between him and his agent

36ers could definitely use him as a replacement for Froling and to be honest I'd rather have Hodgson than him anyway.

That's what I'm wondering KET. I just can't see Hodgson getting a gig overseas, or being offered a bigger contract by Brisbane, so why would he opt out? If Brisbane has told him they will retain his NBL rights under the opt out rule, then I guess another possibility is he just isn't willing to play for what Brisbane is offering and would rather go do a regular job instead this year?

I'm hoping they'll somehow let him come back to the Sixers! Unlikely I know, but it was disappointing that Joey wasn't able to keep Hodgson onside and develop him. We have failed to retain so many young Aussies since losing the Grand Final three seasons back it is ridiculous! DJ and Teys are literally the only guys remaining from that team unless Drmic resigns!

"36ers could definitely use him as a replacement for Froling and to be honest I'd rather have Hodgson than him anyway."

Diff skill sets so tough call. It would depend on the team I was trying to build. But I've always wanted a guy who could be a defensive presence next DJ and Hodgson probably fits that better than Froling, who doesn't really have the length to challenge shots around the basket.

Anon,

Hodgson would not be opting out of guaranteed money with the Bullets on an assumption. He would have a deal lined up likely with another NBL team.

Cooks with his pedigree and play last season can set his own price.

that team unless Drmic resigns!

Have heard a similar rumour Zodiac. Disappointing if true.

He would have a deal lined up likely with another NBL team.

Opt-outs can't sign with another NBL club.

The team they were contracted to has their rights for the season unless of course they choose to waive them.

He would have a deal lined up likely with another NBL team.

Oh for fuck's sake.

One point Liam Santamaria raised yesterday is that if they opt back in, their pay will be pro-rated, and some contracts start their payment cycle this month. So guys on those deals who opt out now are guaranteed to lose money on their NBL contracts.

I think this whole situation is a farce is riddled with legal challenges.

To make a unilateral change to a contract then only to throw on a restriction of trade clause should you wish to play with someone else in the League. I actually don't think that would stand if challenged in the future should a player have detriment. In fact I don’t think players should bother opting out rather just breach their contracts en masse as a pack at a time that suits them. Good luck to the NBL .

Yes, the death of the only pro league in the country is a vastly better option.

I'd love to see Matt Hodgson make the NBA, I think he'd do really well, he'd be what 4th string centre so let's say he got 5 minutes for example, he wouldn't have to worry about foul trouble as he does/did with Brisbane and he's far too dumb to stay out of foul trouble here but he doesn't come across as someone that would be daunted by the bright lights and I think he'd have some good moments in limited opportunities.

Haha like Luke Schenscher

Most major countries in Australia have pushed their employees to accept contract variations for the next three months or so.

Wonder how the contracts work in the NBL, given their work product for the most part is September til end of March.

I think this whole situation is a farce is riddled with legal challenges.

Key NBL players began the process of voting for a series of measures on Thursday that would see a tiered approach to salary cuts for the 2020-21 season, multiple sources told ESPN.

The COVID-19 pandemic created an unstable and untenable financial environment for the league and its teams, leading to both parties coming together with the Australian Basketball Players' Association to negotiate cost-cutting measures.

Each teams' delegates voted on Thursday, sources said, with 15 of the 18 representatives voting in the affirmative, meaning the new measures are expected to go ahead. Contracted players were informed of the agreement after the vote.

Yeah, I don't see this becoming litigious

If the league wants to change the cap and who knows what the cap is or how it all works now, all players should be free agents.

It's a total restriction of trade, uncompetitive and won’t stand up in court.

there are lots questions and what seems like secrecy around this.

^ true

Restricting a player to only play with one club in Australia is a restraint of trade clause. It is unfair because it removes their ability to have a competitive tender for their services whereby players of a similar skill and value who are off contract for next season will be better off than those under contract who have also been gouged up to 50% of their salary. Contracted players inherently are in a position of damage should the season start in OCT as in this case there has been no changes to the underlying circumstances relating to the fulfilment or their portion of consideration under contract.

If you were in any other occupation and were told that your pay would be reduced by 50% only to also be told you are unable to work for any other employer in your field in Australia, such an attempt would be unlawful and overthrown without much thought by the court system. The only way that this could have been done legally is to terminate all player contracts, reduce the salary cap and make a 1 year hard cap determined at a date closer to the season (once sponsorship is reviewed, and a more realistic review of crowd potential), and allow for an open and transparent free agency period to occur for all players from that date. I just can not contemplate any rationale for this approach.

Furthermore it doesn't matter what committee, union or other representative group agrees to, they can not make an unlawful agreement under Australian competition nor employment law. That little get together the NBL is using to justify this won’t hold much stick.

Correct. Free agents will have their salaries cut by the same percentage as those under contract.

They won't be because they are in a much better bargaining position. Good players off contract don’t have to compete against players with a restriction of trade to one club and therefore can have a bidding war against clubs without as much competition in the market. Thus they will get more money.

Also the fact that each club hires the players separately the fact that they agreed to do this together could amount to cartel conduct.

" Restricting a player to only play with one club in Australia is a restraint of trade clause.“

In NBL, not in Australia.

And it's not restraint of trade. And you don’t understand ACL.

Everyone thinks they’re a lawyer

Good players off contract don't have to compete against players with a restriction of trade to one club and therefore can have a bidding war against clubs without as much competition in the market.

Haha people love to say what they think the law is as if their opinion is authoritative.

Half an hour of googling doesn't help, it’s like thinking you can do surgery from a quick wiki read up.

Total nonsense in this threat!

No, not every season do players under contract get wages cut.

How good is the Belarusian league?

Hodgson opts back in...