The National Basketball Association's players and owners are in a labor standoff that many fear could last into -- and possibly eliminate -- the 2011-12 season. Players like New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams have already signed contracts with basketball leagues overseas, and rumors have circulated regarding possible overseas deals for stars such as Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and Kevin Durant.
Paul H. HaagenProfessor of law, Duke Law Schoolhttp://www.law.duke.edu/fac/haagenA co-director for Duke Law School's Center for Sports Law and Policy, Haagen teaches a course on sports and the law and chairs the Duke Student-Athlete Counseling Committee. He has advised Duke men's basketball players for a number of years. His principal academic interests are contracts, the social history of law and law and sports.
Quote:"Unlike in football, there is an international market for talent and multiple places where players can play. However, the opportunities abroad are more limited than generally understood."Assuming that there is eventually a settlement and the top players do come back to the NBA, having players go abroad only strengthens the NBA brand. If they do not come back and if they consider playing abroad a genuine alternative, that will change the calculus."