(1888PressRelease)
March 16, 2009 - The East Kentucky Miners of the Continental Basketball Association have apparently skipped town without paying player salaries that were due to them since the season ended early for economic reasons and lack of ticket sales.
The owners of the franchise, Former Miami Dolphins Jay Fiedler and Businessman Demetrius Ford haven't been able to be reached regarding the situation at the Miners facility or at the Trinity Sports & Entertainment Group homebased in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
One player who has been greatly affected by the recent events is Mike Crain, a veteran guard who was in his second season with the Miners since graduating from Valdosta State in Georgia.
Crain was and still is owed over a half-months salary from the Miners and even has a promisary note signed by Head Coach Kevin Keathley on the organizations letterhead but the team still hasn't taken care of the debt. To make things worse, the club has even stopped paying the team doctors for services provided while Crain was under contract with the Miners. "They've simply referred the medical physicians to Mike. They're saying it's his responsibility, not the team", says Crain's agent Nate McCray of Dynasty Sports Management.
McCray also stated that he's made numerous phone calls to both the Miners team headquarters and to Fiedler's & Ford's side business in Fort Lauderdale, Florida but hasn't been able to locate either party. "I've called headquarters, personal cell phones & sent emails numerous times and haven't been able to locate either one of them. Jay and Demetrius need to come out of hiding and take care of this situation like real businessmen and leaders instead of hiding like cowards", added McCray.
As for Mike Crain, this couldn't have happen at a worst time since he was blessed with a new addition to his family just recently and is due to be married this summer. "Mike doesn't deserve this. He stayed with the Miners this season to be close to his family and to get more exposure here in the states and hopefully attract some interest from NBA scouts", stated Crain's agent. "I could've very easily sent him overseas to play this season, but we thought staying with East Kentucky was the ideal situation for him and his family", added McCray.
Crain's agent also added that if Fiedler and Ford continue to ignore the situation, that he will begin to file lawsuit that will include the Miner organization, Trinity Sports & Entertainment Group and the Continental Basketball Association.
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