Olympiacos has escalated its ongoing roster dispute with guard Thomas Walkup by formally filing a legal denunciation against Dubai, accusing the newly prominent franchise of illegal approach and tampering, according to reports from Eurohoops.net.
Olympiacos Escalates Tampering Complaint Over Thomas Walkup
The club from Piraeus communicated the complaint directly to Euroleague Basketball management as tensions mount over the 33-year-old veteran’s active contract status. The latest legal maneuver arrives as Walkup attempts to force his departure from the reigning Euroleague powerhouse.
Arbitration Bid and Contract Clash
According to Eurohoops.net, the American-born, Greek-naturalized guard recently appealed to the Basketball Arbitral Tribunal seeking to rescind his current contract and secure unrestricted free agent status.
Olympiacos maintains that Walkup remains bound to the club through the end of the 2026-27 season, asserting that any direct pursuit or recruitment by another team violates league regulations.
Training Camp Absence and Disciplinary Actions
The conflict intensified when Walkup did not report for mandatory medical and physical examinations at the start of the team’s training camp.
Because his absence was unexcused, Olympiacos management formally summoned the player to face disciplinary proceedings. The standoff stems from an initial unilateral written notice submitted by Walkup demanding immediate release—a request that club directors promptly rejected alongside warnings of extensive legal action to protect their roster assets.
Dubai’s Buyout Offers and Rejection
Meanwhile, Dubai has signaled strong interest in acquiring the defensive specialist, submitting three written buyout offers to secure his rights before the start of the preseason, as detailed by Eurohoops.net.
Olympiacos responded by declaring Walkup completely off the market and declining to field transfer bids. Walkup has played for Olympiacos since joining the club in 2021.
Awaiting Arbitral and Disciplinary Rulings
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