On the heels of the controversy surrounding Rush Limbaugh’s failed attempt to own a National Football League (NFL) franchise, a story from the New York Times – “For Potential Owner, a Background Check Worthy of the K.G.B.” – sheds light on the stringent background check policy of another sports league, the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the limitations of “International” background checks.

According to the Times, Russian billionaire Mikhail D. Prokhorov recently reached an agreement to pay $200 million for 80 percent of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets franchise and 45 percent of a proposed arena for the team in Brooklyn. To complete the deal, the Times reports, Prokhorov will not only have to be approved by at least 23 of the NBA’s 30 owners, but also – like any other prospective owner – pass a background check investigation by the league and a security firm that specializes in risk management.

While NBA Commissioner David Stern was quoted by the Times as saying the league’s background check policy is “very extensive, stringent, some would say, invasive,” experts in corporate risk-management say a background check of Prokhorov would not be easy because, in Russia, public records are scarce or incomplete, bank records are difficult to examine, and news media reports are not always reliable.

Though the league’s investigation may never create a detailed picture of Prokhorov as it would have for an American buyer, the international background check of Prokhorov by the NBA is expected to involve various sources from Russian police, military, diplomatic, and intelligence – even some from the former K.G.B., the national security “secret service” agency of the former U.S.S.R, this according to the Times.

Just like the NBA’s background check process is designed to weed out inappropriate buyers who lack the finances for ownership or could be a public relations disaster to the league, businesses both large and small need to ensure the character, personal history and integrity of each new hire. Pre-Employ.com – a leading background check and employment-related services provider – can assist any-sized business in any type of industry to implement a flexible, accurate, and cost-effective background check solution.

For more information about Pre-Employ.com’s background check and employment-related services – including International background checks – visit www.pre-employ.com, email info@pre-employ.com, or call 1-800-300-1821. Follow PreEmploy.com on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PreEmploy.

tahearn@pre-employ.com

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