FIBA Arbitral Tribunal: BAT 2039/23 (Andrisevic v/ Ibaraki Robots)

Summary of the Case:
The US American coach James Andrisevic filed a claim against the Japanese club Ibaraki Robots Sports Entertainment Inc. ("Ibaraki Robots") for outstanding salary, flight expenses and interest after the club removed him from his head coach position and sought to demote him to a youth team or assistant coach role. The Arbitrator found that the club had employed Andrisevic as its head coach and that its unilateral demotion amounted to a constructive dismissal and termination of the agreement without just cause. Deciding ex aequo et bono, the Arbitrator ordered Ibaraki Robots to pay Andrisevic USD 145,000 net in remaining salary (the 2024-2025 season reduced by half for mitigation) plus 5% interest, USD 2,127.10 net in flight expenses plus interest, and to provide the relevant Japanese tax certificates, along with a contribution to arbitration costs and legal fees.

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Courtesy of: FIBA