A Hurdle in Signing Biyombo

[Scottley Crue]

Though I don't think it's a tremendous surprise, FIBA denied Biyombo his clearance to sign with the NBA. From what Bonnell says in the link below, it appears to me that Biyombo's Spanish team wants their full buyout and this makes that clear to the Bobcats and Biyombo. I believe it's just a roadblock and will be figured out.

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2011/07/fiba-denies-biyombo-clearance.html

[ND22]

If there wasn't a lockout, I'd be worried but if he has to play another year so be it. I still think he'll become cleared to play this year though.

[ohara831]

It will get taken care of in time. Not a rush with the lockout. And his other team is simply trying to get the most money they can. It will get negotiated out before the season starts.

[spectre]

Biyombo needs a solution (http://www.conbdebaloncesto.es/archive/582.html)



As I reported last Saturday on Marca.com (http://www.marca.com/2011/10/02/baloncesto/acb/1317554325.html), African center Bismack Biyombo has terminated his relationship with his Spanish agent and is now being represented by Bell Management. The agreement is only for the NBA.

As published, Biyombo´s situation is even more complicated than one week ago. His Spanish team, Baloncesto Fuenlabrada, and the lawyer representing him were discussing in court. The team asked for one million euros if Biyombo, as he did, broke the contract (plus three additional million since the team has a second contract, owning 80 percent of the rights of Biyombo to play worldwide), while the player asked for a break of the contract he alleged the team owes him money and didn´t help him to obtain the correct visa to return to Spain after playing in the Nike Hoop Summit.

Surprisingly, another notification was received in Baloncesto Fuenlabrada´s office. Another lawyer, representing Biyombo, asked not only for the termination of the contract, but also for the salaries of the last five months, including last September. At the start of the negotiation, Biyombo denounced the contract so Baloncesto Fuenlabrada officials couldn´t understand what was going on. Their first meeting with the new lawyer is scheduled for October 5th.

After a couple of days, I was able to confirm that the second lawyer was hired by Biyombo´s new agent, Mr. Joel Bell from Bell Management (http://hoopshype.com/agents/joel_bell.htm). He´s representing the player, only for the NBA, since August.

This new lawsuit by Biyombo´s new agent changed the situation, not only for what they are demanding, but for assuming the contract has been valid since last September (that´s why they´re asking for the salary).

I hope Biyombo and the team to finally reach an agreement that will be helpful for both parts.

[spectre]

I had to go back 3 pages.

Anyway, I see this latest as a good thing. It seems he's got some strategy going with his new guy and hopefully this can get resolved fairly soon.

He was most impressive to me in the only venue I've seen him so far (Jimmer's thing)...esp. for a 18-19 year old. he was awesome in positioning under the basket and he's already figured out how those long arms are a positive in defense away from the basket. If we can get him in with Silas this year I expect to see a lot of positive results even in the short term.

[ohara831]

Thanks for the update Spectre. I agree that this gives him just another weapon to use during negotiations. They should be able to work this out. But until this lockout is resolved, I'm not fretting over it.

[Bismack BROyombo]

I sure hope they can resolve this..wouldn't want to have to get a new screen name