Tigers owner sacks import on the spot

Updated January 16, 2012 18:35:26

The door will remain closed on American import Ayinde Ubaka after the NBL import was sensationally sacked by Melbourne Tigers owner Seamus McPeake without the knowledge of coach Trevor Gleeson.

Following their 13-point loss to Gold Coast, the Tigers chief executive officer made a post-game address to the playing group and then sacked Ubaka on the spot, while Gleeson was at a press conference.

"Seamus came in, mad, cussing everybody out, pointing players out ... one of the players was me," Ubaka said on SEN.

"He said it was an embarrassment.

"He told me to leave and go and find another job and I said 'alright, I will'."

The point guard hoped that once tempers cooled he would still have a job with Melbourne but a club spokesman said that would not happen.

"It's all done, I believe," the spokesman said.

"Ubaka has split with the club and has been released from his playing contract effective immediately.

"The Tigers will be looking at replacement options in the coming days."

Ubaka spoke to Gleeson and said the coach told him he did not agree with the sacking but it was out of his control.

He claimed to have the support of the players but said they would not speak out for fear of also losing their jobs.

"He's the boss but I don't agree with having to flex your power like that," Ubaka said of McPeake.

"It was very unprofessional but he's the boss and he wears the big pants."

Ubaka has previously played in the NBL for the Blaze and the Cairns Taipans and said he hoped to stay in Australia.

The fifth-placed Tigers next play the New Zealand Breakers on Thursday.

AAP

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted January 16, 2012 18:35:26

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