Zalgiris Kaunas withdraws from VTB league

The Lithuanian powerhouse B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas has announced that it will be withdrawing from the VTB United League. In a statement made by the team on their official website they cite that the schedule is too tight.

They claim that last season they had enough veterans who could handle playing a very hectic schedule, playing games in the Russian-led VTB United League and their home league, Lithuania’s LKL. They are in a rebuilding phase and their young players, who need development, may not be able to handle an effective 90-game combined season. The team has been dominant in the Lithuanian LKL, winning eight Lithuanian League Championships in the last 11 years. They most recently won the their third-straight title in 2013.

Local media on the other hand speculates that this could be more of a financial decision. The team is still in an adjustment period after the resignation of Vladimir Romanov. The team has new sponsors and does not have as big a budget as they had in the past. The great amount of travelling involved in their participation in the VTB League could possibly be an issue for the team.