Hodge done in Australia
Julius Hodge’s second stint with the Adelaide 36ers came to an abrupt end Thursday when the Australian club agreed to release Hodge from his contract following his no-show at Wedneday’s game against Wollongong.
A contract squabble was behind Hodge’s ugly breakup with the 36ers. The former North Carolina State star was not being paid in time, according to agent Cervando Tejeda.
“It was the second time this had happened,” Tejeda said. “He was supposed to be paid on the 15th, but earlier this week he had not received the money for the month of December.”
Hodge — who signed with the Adelaide 36ers for a salary of $40,000 per month, according to Tejeda — ended up being paid right before Wednesday’s game. Why didn’t he show up for the game then?
“It came down to a trust issue,” Tejeda said. “Ownership told us last Friday they would send the money right away, but they did not. We felt we couldn’t trust them anymore.”
Tejeda denies claims by 36ers owner Mal Hemmerling that the club had paid Hodge in advance for the rest of the season.
“It’s all lies,” according to Tejeda. “The money is not in the bank account. They said the same thing when Julius was owed the money in December and in the end they had to pay him in cash Wednesday before the game.”
Tejeda says Adelaide owed money to several players other than Hodge. The 36ers are not an exception in the NBL, a competition that features several clubs in bad economic shape. Bucks center Andrew Bogut recently donated money to help pay the staff and players of the Sydney Spirit, according to the Australian media.
As for Hodge’s future, Tejeda assures the former Nugget has no contract lined up with any other team.
“That had nothing to do with Julius leaving the 36ers,” Tejeda said. “We have not received calls from the NBA. There’s some interest in Europe, but that’s not the reason why Julius is leaving. He loves the fans in Adelaide, but he couldn’t deal with this situation anymore.”
Jack Toft Said,
January 8, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
Is that all there is to the story?
Matt Dodson Said,
January 8, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
I do not believe you. You think every fan is stupid.
K Said,
January 8, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
Soo Long Jules. Will miss u tearing up the courts at the Dome.. I understand the business side of things and its all a pile of BS if u ask me.. At least us Sixers fans get to watch ’some guy’ Rod Grizzard 4 the rest of the season. Rod’s got a real nice stroke on his jump shot, even from range.. Im pretty sure he has had a crack at the NBA himself. I can remember him on a Washington Wizards roster. And lastly to Jorge Sierra and Cervando Tejeda. Get your god damn facts straight and dont ever try to shit on our league in a pathetic blog like this. Your only leg to stand on is that the rest of the league is struggling ? The league is being Re-vamped actualy. 3 teams that have gone under is because they paid prima-donna imports like Hodgey to come down and pay them the full cap, trying to buy a championship. The teams that are staying for the revamped comp next season are far from struggling for cash. Hodgey, Ive still got mad love for you. Your agent isnt worth whatever cut he takes.. I would fire him ASAP before your career is over. I doubt u are gonna see more than 10 days in the NBA, so u mite as well get over that. And keep telling yourself its not about the cash. Your agents attitude has cost u gigs in the NBA,
Euro, and now the Australian ‘bush comp’ as u guys put it. Hodge was nowhere near bigger than the team. the Mahersy’s and Ballinger’s are the true champions from the Sixers mate. and greatest import ever to play here? please. Rick Brunson, Mark Davis, Rob Rose, KB, Darnell Mee, Willie Farley , etc etc shit Lanard Copeland was twice the showman you ever were. If u want Ill pay you $100 so I can bungee jump of your big friggin head. Dude I liked you.. but I reckon u need to start listening to your heart and not your dumb-ass agent. Get a REAL agent and skys the limit for u again.
All the best .. Jules from Harlem… Maybe you need to go back 2 Harlem, ditch the agent and start a fresh. Its good advice. U smell me.
Skin Said,
January 8, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Thats Bullshit Jorge!
Jamie Stefanidis Said,
January 8, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
if he loved the fans in adelaide he wouldnt let us down.
Theres a way to resolve these issues other then doing a no show on your team and your fans!
Panther32 Said,
January 8, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
Tejeda denies claims by 36ers owner Mal Hemmerling that the club had paid Hodge in advance for the rest of the season.
“It’s all lies,” according to Tejeda. “The money is not in the bank account.
So are you saying Mal didn’t walk Julius down to the bank and show him the money was in an australian account they had set up for him, do to your dumb ass giving him the wrong account details and causing the whole issue???
XztatiK Said,
January 8, 2009 @ 11:25 pm
“Hodge — who signed with the Adelaide 36ers for a salary of $40,000 per month, according to Tejeda — ended up being paid right before Wednesday’s game. Why didn’t he show up for the game then?
“It came down to a trust issue,” Tejeda said. “Ownership told us last Friday they would send the money right away, but they did not. We felt we couldn’t trust them anymore.””
I spose you couldn’t trust your teammates and coaches enough to give them a phone call to say you weren’t going to show up either, hey?
SA Boy Said,
January 9, 2009 @ 1:27 am
poor form hodge, let down your team mates and coach. stop listening to your arse of a manager and make a phone call gutless man. nobody gonna want you in the NBA with an attitude like then your’ve blown it.
Daniel Said,
January 9, 2009 @ 5:44 am
Julius Hodge highlights v Melbourne & interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0SGdvZscfg&fmt=18
Sasha Vujacic Said,
January 11, 2009 @ 11:05 am
Did you do something similar to this prior to getting shot in Denver, Julius?
Not that the NBL is a premier competition-(definitely not) but thats still a sucky thing to OH SHIT WAIT
u got paid that little.
Go earn some money in europe.
YOU WILL NEVER MAKE NBA MWAHAHAHAHA
HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Julius Hodge » Off to France Said,
February 1, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
[...] the stuff that happened in Australia… I wish the team luck. I think it was a good situation for the most part… And I wish my [...]
the truth ruth Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 9:35 pm
I must have missed this when it was first posted….
Well, the truth has all come out now, and down here in Australia we know exactly what happened…and its sure not the way Cervando Tejeda is trying to sell it.