The partnership between the Goblin Basketball Association (GBA) and the National Basketball Association has collapsed over the name of the proposed goblin league.
The goblins insisted on calling it the G-League, since the "G" obviously stands for "Goblin." The NBA, which already runs a developmental league by that name, refused to give it up.
"We tried to explain that the G in our G League stands for Gatorade," said a frustrated NBA executive. "They wouldn't budge. They insist that any G in the basketball world must stand for goblins and nothing else."
The Goblin Council of Elders would not compromise. "We will not allow our glorious sport to be associated with a sugary beverage," declared Elder Gnarltooth, slamming his fist on the table and spilling his fermented mushroom smoothie. "The G-League is ours, and we will defend it with every fiber of our being and every spore of our mushrooms!"
Both sides are disappointed. The NBA had hoped to expand into the goblin market. The goblins had hoped for international recognition beyond China.
"It's a shame," said Dennis Rodman, the NBA's unofficial goblin liaison. "We could've made something special. Fire-breathing dunks, teleportation alley-oops. But hey, at least I got to try the fermented mushroom pizza. That stuff was delicious."
The Goblin Nation will now build its own league, under the name G-League, with a big, bold goblin G. The NBA is reportedly exploring other partnerships, including the Underwater Basket Weaving Association of Atlantis, pending confirmation of Atlantis.
