Thomas Walkup disputes Olympiacos contract and remains in the United States

On August 18, 2026, Olympiacos BC announced that 33-year-old guard Thomas Walkup unilaterally terminated his employment contract. The club explicitly rejected this move as unjustified, asserting that the player is legally bound by an active agreement that extends until the summer of 2027, following the activation of a one-year option clause. Olympiacos has formally summoned Walkup to report for mandatory medical and fitness examinations scheduled for Thursday, warning that it will take all necessary legal measures to protect its interests should he fail to appear.

The tension stems from an offer Walkup received from Dubai BC, which reportedly pays 3 million euros annually. However, the Emirati club has only offered approximately 1.5 million euros as a transfer fee, falling well short of the 3 million euros Olympiacos demands for his release. As of August 19, Walkup remains in New York, where he was seen training via social media posts, signaling his potential absence from the team’s start of the season preparations. This ongoing dispute remains unresolved as the club expects the player to honor his existing contract obligations.