Basketball: Wage row threatens Stars

The future of the Auckland Stars appears to be in doubt with the strife-prone basketball club still owing wages to senior players and coach Kenny Stone four months after completion of the 2008/09 season.

Stars general manager Steve Done refused to comment on individual contract issues, saying the club was in good shape and planning was progressing smoothly for the next season.

"I really don't have a comment on players' payments and coaching payments and those type of things," Done said.

"Right now we are just getting ready for 2010 and we are looking forward to having our key players returning and having a real good season."

But the Herald has learned players, backroom staff and Stone are owed significant amounts in wages, with frustration at the non-payments growing and the club facing exclusion from next season's league.

Stone refused to confirm that he was owed money but he did admit his future at the club was in doubt.

"That is very much up in the air at the moment," Stone said. "I haven't been given any indication either way at this stage."

Club owner Tab Baldwin is coaching in Turkey and could not be reached for comment.

If the Stars don't clear their debts they will be refused entry into next year's competition, NBL chairman Sam Rossiter-Stead confirmed.

The Stars are no strangers to financial issues, with the club thrown out of the 2008 playoffs for the non-payment of a $6000 entry fee only to be reinstated after threatening legal action.