Zalgiris players threaten strike

Lithuanian powerhouse Zalgiris Kaunas continues to struggle financially and the latest blow to the ailing giant is the news that the players have set a strike deadline. The deadline has been set to one week when Zalgiris plays ALBA Berlin, if the outstanding one month’s salary is not paid to the players they will boycott the game.

The situation at Zalgiris Kaunas mirrors the financial troubles of major clubs all over Europe and is reaching a critical junction where the players are demanding to be paid. Despite a solid season on the court, the fortunes of Zalgiris have dwindled off it, and the economic woes of the club were highlighted back in December.

The then chairman of the club, Vladimir Romanov openly asked on the official website for the Zalgiris fans to invest in the club:

“There is a way to solve the financial problems: Every fan could invest a minimum of 100 Litas (€ 29 or $ 38). Otherwise we have to start selling players and give up the fight for the top spots.” – Vladimir Romanov, December, 2012.

Romanov of course saved Zalgiris from bankruptcy in 2009, but he has been unable to change the fortunes of the team as the economic crisis has had an impact on sponsor interest. Romanov has since resigned his post as chairman of Zalgiris Kaunas amid unpaid salaries to players. Those players are now demanding payment or they will strike and forfeit the game in Berlin on March 28th.

“If we do not get at least one month’s salary before the next match, we will not travel to Berlin. Players are tired” – power forward Paulius Jankunas.

A life line could be afforded to Zalrigis in the form of a 580,000 euros grant from the Kaunas city government, however it is unclear how this payment would be structured and of course it would only solve the immediate problem. The administration at Zalgiris has been bolstered by the arrival of Former director of the Lithuanian federation Paulius Motiejunas as General Manager, who will join the effort to save the declining club.