Konontšuk still awaits three months' salary from Turkish club

Estonian basketball international Artur Konontšuk, who played for Bursaspor in Turkey's top league last season, is still waiting for three months' wages from the club. Despite financial problems, the team managed to stay in the league at the end of the season. Konontšuk recently signed a contract with German top-flight club Rostock Seawolves.

Estonian basketball international Artur Konontšuk has been enjoying a break at his parents' home in Pärnu, feeding the cats and dogs, mowing the lawn, but financial matters with his Turkish club remain unresolved. Konontšuk, who played for Bursaspor, is still owed three months' salary, while local players are owed as much as four months.

Chaos at Bursaspor

Konontšuk already stated in early April that the Turkish club was in complete disarray: management was unable to pay players and coaches on time, which was met with a strike. Despite the financial strain, the team managed to finish the season positively, remaining in the league thanks to winning three of the final four matches.

"If we had won one fewer game, we would have gone down," said Konontšuk, particularly highlighting two away victories.

Promises and reality

The club president made promises to the players, but these were only partially kept. "The president promised us all sorts of things. For example, he promised us a 6,000-euro bonus, but we got 5,000. Some help that was! We did our job," Konontšuk said with a wry smile.

The wage debt remained unresolved. "I'm still owed three months," he confirmed.

New season in Germany

Despite the unfortunate financial experiences, Konontšuk is already preparing for the new season. He has signed a contract with German top-flight club Rostock Seawolves and is using the current break for development.