A trans-Tasman dispute rages over how many Canberra players had signed for the New Zealand group which could be confirmed as the new licensee of the financially embattled Cannons franchise by Monday.

After Canberra entered into voluntary administration last Tuesday, the NBL subsequently agreed to transfer its licence to the New Zealand-based consortium Proteam Holdings Limited last Thursday.

Jeff Green, one of three directors of Proteam Holdings, claimed his organisation had negotiated deals with a number of Canberra players.

It was understood the agreement would see the Cannons stay in Canberra for the remainder of this season before relocating to New Zealand for the 2003/04 campaign.

"Basically we've got three of the five we're targeting and we've got a verbal commitment out of another one and everything is going ahead as scheduled," Green said.

While NBL chief executive Peter Ali also understood the New Zealand consortium had started signing Cannons players, former Canberra coach Cal Bruton claimed reports of signings "grossly" untrue.

"I think the New Zealand crew are losing credibility by the minute," said Bruton, who rejected an "unacceptable" offer from Proteam Holdings to remain with the club.

"They have been calling the media saying they've signed four of our Cannons players and got a verbal commitment from the fifth and we were all sitting together having breakfast (Sunday), so these guys haven't signed no one."

While Bruton was "very confident" his consortium, which includes former Canberra Raiders rugby league chief executive Kevin Neil, would raise sufficient funds to keep the Cannons in Canberra, Ali doubted whether the bid would even be considered.

Bruton initially submitted a bid the day after last Thursday's deadline and Ali said the administrator had told him Proteam Holdings' submission bid had been "far superior".

"They (Proteam Holdings) have met all of their commitments with us so far and I would say that everything should be in line for Monday for the licence transfer, assuming that all the paperwork is done in time," Ali said.

"There is paperwork that has to be done between the administrator and the new consortium and obviously there's conditions that have to be done with us.

"Assuming that all of those go ahead, I don't see how Cal's bid could be entertained."

Green said Proteam Holdings was "pretty confident" it would be able to comply with all conditions, which Ali would not specify, by close of business Monday.

He stressed his group's aim was to sign as many of the existing Cannons as possible.

At least two Cannons will leave the club, with Pero Vasiljevic already signed for Victoria and import Dave Thomas departing Monday to join a German team.

Bruton said former NBA superstar Magic Johnson, whose management agency Thomas and fellow import Mike Chappell belong to, had been in touch with him to find out what was happening and offer his support.

Johnson recently turned out for Canberra during the Cannons' short American tour, but Bruton said the legendary guard would not get directly involved in the Cannons' situation at this stage.

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