SEVERAL CLUBS in the National Basketball League (NBL) are becoming disgruntled with the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) on the non-payment of prize money almost four months after the season ended.President of the JaBA, Marland Nattie, said several anomalies had hit the association over the past few months but he did not go into detail about those setbacks. The long-anticipated awards ceremony where the prize money was to be paid had been set back by Hurricane Ivan, according to Nattie, and he said he is presently in the hunt for a venue.
Checks by The Gleaner have revealed that out of the about $827,000 promised to clubs, players and coaches through the incentive packages that were announced at the beginning of the season only $450,000 has been paid out.
The competition sponsored by Cable and Wireless Mobile and Kentucky Fried Chicken ended on May 26 and some club executives have begun to express their disgust at what they call "the association's negligence".
League champs Urban Knights, runners-up St. George's Slayers and third placed Tivoli All-Stars are the only clubs that have pocketed their cash prizes of $250,000, $150,000 and $50,000 respectively.
OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS
Outstanding payments include $100,000 to mid-season champs Blazing Panthers who are also owed $40,000 for their fourth place in the NBL.
The league MVP, which by all indications is Denham Town Wizards' Anthony Farquharson, though not confirmed, should get $30,000 and the Coach of the Year $25,000.
Several teams are also awaiting their $10,000 incentive for scoring more than 100 points in a game. The Most Disciplined Team was slated to get $50,000 and there was also $15,000 for the referee of the year, among other prizes.
Treasurer of the JaBA Hibbert Anderson said at the moment the final arrangements were being made for the clubs to receive their money.
"We are working on finalising that," Anderson said.
PATIENCE
Anderson also said the JaBA had pleaded for some patience from the clubs with the issuing of the funds. However, some club managers are a bit peeved at the association with the time it has taken it to pay out the funds as most of them will soon begin preparations for next season.
"Small prizes such as Player of the Week ($2000) should have been paid throughout the season," one club executive said.
In February of this year the JaBA received its largest endorsement deal when both sponsors evenly combined for a three-year $21 million package.
Despite most of the sponsorship money going into the rental of the National Indoor Sports Centre to host games, cash prizes were increased by an average of 30 per cent compared to the previous year.
