Women’s games tip off, no signed deal yet

Women’s basketball Premier League will return despite Israeli players' strike.

By ALLON SINAI
Israeli basketball player Doron Shay 311 (R) (photo credit: Agencja Gazeta / Reuters)
Israeli basketball player Doron Shay 311 (R)
(photo credit: Agencja Gazeta / Reuters)
Despite the Israeli players’ strike, the women’s basketball Premier League will return to action on Monday night.
The Israel Basketball Association announced last week that it is cancelling the women’s top-flight season following the work stoppage announced by the Israeli players.
The Israeli players demanded that the ‘Russian rule’ – which dictates that two local players have to be on court at any given time during a game – would continue to be implemented this season, while the IBA insisted that it be scrapped and that teams would be allowed to use four foreigners.
The two sides met almost daily over the last week, but despite agreeing that the ‘Russian rule’ would return for three seasons starting next year, they have yet to sign a deal, failing to come to an understanding on several minor details.
Nevertheless, the IBA announced that Monday’s Week 3 games will go ahead as planned, with the clubs to field teams of foreigners and youth players, should the senior Israelis fail to show up.