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Former Indian Panthers player Alex Robinson has spoken about his experience with the troubled team that last night defaulted their NBL game against the Canterbury Rams due to a lack of players.
Robinson, an American who played in the NBA G-League, travelled to New Zealand after being signed by the new franchise but claims he was not paid what he was owed and that planned accommodation was not forthcoming.
He has since signed with the Nelson Giants.
“I send money back to my family every month and you don’t give me what I’m due for two months… it is just inconsiderate, it’s disrespectful and it’s just wrong,” Robinson told 1News .
American Alex Robinson has left the team that defaulted its recent NBL game against the Canterbury Rams after claiming he wasn't paid. (Source: 1News)
“It was always 'next week or the 10th or the 15th or the 20th' — it would be pushed back, or they say 'we will give you 10% today' or 'what do you need to pay the electricity bill'.”
Another player, who wanted to remain anonymous, told 1News that some imports were relying on food banks to get by and staff were not being paid either.
Robinson also lashed out on social media about his experience at the Panthers — a development professional league team from India, based in south Auckland, that have lost all nine games during their inaugural season.
In a statement today, the NBL said it had met with representatives from all 12 teams in the competition, including the Panthers.
The statement said the league was made aware last Friday of “delayed payments” to Panthers players and staff.
Members of the Indian Panthers pictured after their game against the Southland Sharks in Pukekohe last month. (Source: Photosport)
It said a formal meeting was requested with the franchise ownership on Monday and that yesterday morning the league was made aware that “a number of Panthers players had received payment, and plans were in place for the game against the Rams to proceed".
“However, prior to tip-off, Panthers players elected not to take the court, and the league made the decision to postpone the game.”
It added: “[The] NBL Commission is currently working through a number of options regarding the future of the Indian Panthers in the competition and expects to make a further statement within the next 24 hours. The league will not be making further comment at this time.”
No NBL representatives were available to speak to 1News.
Former NBL general manager Justin Nelson, who headed Sky’s NZ Basketball League Management team, was a major driver of the team’s addition to the league, but did not want to talk until after the NBL Commission’s statement.
The Indian Panthers will be based in South Auckland and play their matches at Takanini's Pulman Arena.
Basketball
October 30, 2024
It did not take long for issues to arise for the team which was a curious addition to the competition, with head coach Miles Pearce announcing his departure after the Panthers opened the season with back-to-back losses.
The Panthers’ next scheduled game would be against the Southland Sharks in Invercargill on May 14 – a fixture that appears very much in doubt.
