CHESHIRE Jets’ sensational move to sign LA Lakers superstar Ron Artest gathered pace this week.
Delicate negotiations have been taking place every night between Artest and the Jets – ever since The Chronicle exclusively broke the news that the club was ready to swoop following the player’s revelations via social networking site Twitter that he would consider a move to the UK.
But the deal, which has sparked media interest on both sides of the Atlantic, seemed dead in the water on Tuesday when ESPN reported Artest’s agent David Bauman claiming the BBL is ‘the 10th or 12th best league in Europe’ – a claim Jets director Pete Hawkins did not deny.
“His assessment of our league is fair,” said Hawkins. “But it is about what else we can offer Ron. We play less than half the number of games that the Lakers do in the same period of time and that will give him more spare time to pursue his movies and music ventures.”
The audacious move came about after the NBA and the players union in America came to a deadlock over wage negotiations. It prompted a lockout – with players banned from playing for NBA franchises until an agreement is reached.
With both sides in stalemate, the start of the NBA season – usually in October – could be hugely delayed.
As a result, players are considering their options prompting Artest – currently in the process of changing his name to Metta World Peace – to reveal on Twitter he was looking to Britain.
He even changed his profile picture to a Jets shirt with ‘World Peace’ on the back. Now, thanks to a little help from former player-coach Billy Singleton, the Jets are front-runners to sign him.
“After we contacted Ron we realised he went to the same college as Billy, St John’s in New York,” said Hawkins. “When we contacted Billy he revealed he was coaching at a high school and coached Ron’s son so that has been helpful too.
“But there are two big things for us and Ron, making sure he is able to link up with the team and perform on the court and us helping him make the breakthrough into entertainment off court.”
The Jets are awaiting word from Artest on their offer and claim they have spoken to a number of movers and shakers in film and music production to facilitate the move.
“I spoke to Ron on Tuesday night,” said Hawkins. “I told him I wouldn’t insult a man on a $33 million contract by offering him cash incentives, but if we can create the right conditions for him he will bring huge benefit to the team and be able to build on his own ambitions in other areas.
“It is a distinct possibility he will sign but there is also a distinct possibility he won’t. We have to wait and see.”
