Carl English says he’s satisfied with the deal reached that has ended his dispute with the St. John’s Edge.
“But I’m mostly satisfied to have it over with,” said the 39-year-old Patrick’s Cove native, who starred for the National Basketball League of Canada’s Edge for two seasons, then had a public falling out with the team during the off-season, a dispute English said stemmed from the team’s failure to meet “contractual obligations” to him.
That meant money, although English never detailed the amount involved. He’s also remaining mum about specifics of the settlement.
“All I am saying is that there is an agreement in place and that there will be no more talks needed,” said English.
On Friday, when English revealed the resolution of his differences with the Edge, he also officially announced his retirement as a player. A ceremony honouring English — who wore 23 — will be held during the Edge’s Feb. 23 game against the Island Storm at Mile One Centre.
“That certainly will be nice, but for me, it’s mostly an amazing opportunity to say thank you to fans for their amazing support for me over the past 20 years,” said English, who starred at the University of Hawaii before embarking on a 17-year professional career, the bulk of which was spent in top-tier European leagues.
He was also was mainstay on Canada’s national team for a decade.
The Feb. 23 contest will also mark English’s first appearance at an Edge game this season. Once the team’s interim general manager as well as its biggest star, the 2018-19 NBLC most valuable player completely cut ties with the organization shortly after the end of the 2018-19 season when the Edge, with him in the lineup, fell to the Moncton Magic in the NBLC final.
But even though it’s been nearly nine months since he last played, English admits he’s still coming to grips with his own retirement decision.
Nevertheless, he notes there is plenty to keep him busy, including promotion of his biography, Chasing A Dream, released just over two months ago, and his CE23 Academy basketball camps. He also continues to speak about and work towards what he sees as the need to construct a facility to help in the development of basketball and other sports in the province.
English also confirmed there is the possibility of him being associated with the Edge in some capacity in the future, but added there is no certainty about what role he would take, or even if he would definitely be working for, or representing, the team again.
He did say not to expect anything in that regard this season.
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