While the NBA remains frozen owing to the lock-out imposed by clubs after failing to reach a salary agreement with players, Greece is not so proud to have its own basketball lock-out that is also on economic motives.
Basketball clubs decided on Tuesday to postpone the start of the league, originally planned for this weekend, due to the lack of a television contract that constitutes the main source of revenues for the cash-strapped teams.
ESAKE, the league's organiser, decided by majority (seven votes to four) to put off the opening round of games until a TV channel agrees to buy the rights of all teams as a package, as opposed to having separate deals only for the most popular teams.
State broadcaster ERT has already agreed terms with giants Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, who voted against this Greek version of a lock-out.
Now the league's other clubs' led by PAOK, Aris and Panionios are putting pressure on ERT to buy their rights, too, to render the league viable.
The next possible date for the league's tip-off is October 22.
Even when it does start, the league will only consist of just 13 clubs, as Panellinios has failed to secure a licence from the Professional Sports Commission for not providing clear evidence about its ownership.
Greek Cup
Kavala and PAOK have joined favourites Olympiakos and Panathinaikos in the semifinals of the Cup after this week's quarterfinals.
While Panathinaikos had a smooth evening on Tuesday beating depleted Maroussi 93-61 at home and Olympiakos saw off a spirited Aris 80-59 away on Wednesday, the other two Wednesday games were far from foregone conclusions.
PAOK reached the semis for a second consecutive season defeating visiting Ikaros Kallitheas 89-67, while hosts Kavala beat Ilisiakos 77-76 in a dramatic game decided in the last second through a Sotiris Karapostolou buzzer-beater.
In the semis, to take place in February, Panathinaikos will host Kavala and Olympiakos will face PAOK.
