Explaining International (FIBA) Versus USA Minor League Rules
There are several differences between international play and the rules of basketball in the United States. I’m sure most followers of USA basketball are aware of this, because the USA must adapt to FIBA rules. If you are like me you were screaming at the officials for horrible calls. Yes, I agree anyone that calls a basketball game a match should be slapped silly, but I will admit I find some international options interesting for OMT.
In many countries like Iceland and the UK they limit the amount of import players allowed in their leagues. The UK is part of the EU so they can sign EU players, but ballers from the USA are considered import players. This rule (and low salaries) are reasons why some leagues are much worse than others. For instance if you travel to Amsterdam their team (MYGUIDE) has 5 Americans on the roster. Iceland does limit import players which is why they normally struggle in ULEB Cup and EuroCup play. Teams that spend more on players (and have less roster rules) tend to have a more competitive team.
The average salary for an import player in Iceland is around $1700 to $2500 a month plus housing. This actually isn’t a bad salary, but other leagues might pay an import player $10,000 to $20,000 a month. Players without international experience (yes even former D1 stars) generally start out in Iceland to prove that they can adjust to the FIBA rules.
FIBA is making some changes to be more like American basketball. FIBA is changing the lane from a trapezoid to a rectangle. FIBA is also moving the three point line back. Eventually FIBA governed games will look more like the basketball played in the NBA (with less talent of course).
OMT and the IBL would be a great pairing for expansion into Europe. The UK struggles to draw fans and interest to their basketball league. Iceland has a much smaller population, but the 300,000 inhabitants support two leagues and several national teams (junior, under 21, senior, etc). OMT could start out operating a spring league in Iceland (IBL). Using the IBL allows OMT to run a basketball team in Iceland without dealing with all the FIBA red tape. After developing a successful spring franchise the sky would be the limit on expansion. Iceland’s Express League has 12 teams in their top league. Iceland also supports a ten team 2nd league as well. FSU is in the 2nd tier league, but because of their success they are moving up to the Express League. Haukur on the other hand moved down from the Express League. In 2002/2003 Haukur had the best player in the Express League (Stevie Johnson, 6-5 235, Iowa State). Johnson won the MVP award and lead the league with 34.6 points per game and 13.3 rebounds. Stevie has since left Iceland to become a star in Spain.
My point is that once the IBL team becomes a success in Iceland other projects could take place. Purchasing an Express League or 2nd League team would be an interesting endeavor. Ideally OMT could convience the Express League to allow 1 or 2 more imports on the roster as well as allow unlimited amount of Bosman A and B players. I would be interested in hearing everyone’s thoughts on this. Come discuss this in the forums!
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