Facing a potential threat from NBA Europe, 13 EuroLeague shareholders met Monday in Barcelona to find out who is committed to staying in the league. Sources tell Domantas Urbonas of BasketNews that most of the clubs in attendance pledged their loyalty to the EuroLeauge, although the sentiment wasn’t unanimous.
Urbonas’ sources say that Fenerbahce in Turkey and Panathinaikos in Greece, which have been mentioned as NBA Europe possibilities, were among those who made the strongest EuroLeague commitments. Rather than leaving, they expressed a desire to strengthen the current league and help it grow.
Less certain are two Spanish clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Real Madrid, whose 10-year license with the EuroLeague will expire after 2026, is viewed as a prime target by the organizers of NBA Europe, according to Urbonas’ sources. Barcelona declined to take a strong stance at Monday’s meeting, and sources tell Urbonas that it will likely go wherever Real Madrid does.
France’s ASVEL Basket, which is owned by former NBA star Tony Parker, and Italy’s Olimpia Milano both asked for additional time before committing to the EuroLeague’s proposed long-term licensing agreement, Urbonas adds. Parker has been open about engaging in discussions with NBA Europe.
Sources tell Urbonas that seven of the clubs represented at Monday’s meeting have already formalized a long-term commitment to the EuroLeague, with at least four more expected to follow. He notes that those intentions have been communicated to the teams’ shareholders and are unlikely to change.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has been working with FIBA to establish the new league in Europe, and Urbonas states that FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis made a presentation at Monday’s gathering.
The other clubs represented at the meeting were Anadolu Efes in Turkey, Baskonia in Spain, Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel, Olympiacos in Greece, FC Bayern Munich in Germany, Zalgiris in Lithuania and CSKA Moscow in Russia.
Money talks…it yells even. We’ll see how loyal they are when they get a giant check from Adam Silver like publishers clearing house!
I dont think the shareholders necessarily want to grow the euroleague, they just dont want to lose their money.
Nba europe could be an interesting idea, but it is also a risky idea. Lets see how it turns out.
How many current NBA players are going to want to play in Europe? Maybe at the end of their careers.
Plenty who don’t get drafted. You and I know plenty of players don’t find their game till after 22-24. Just another way to keep the dream alive.
I read that the NBA was talking about $500 million franchise fees. I would think you would need star power for that. I think they could make a better effort at promoting the GLeague. They could remove the cap on NBA experience for GLeague contracts. It seems like they would be going up against established fan bases.
Here’s an idea. How about an off-season league? Undrafted, end-of-the-bench, free agents players could head over there to develop or establish value. It could be a 2 month league. They could have two conferences. One made up of teams with American players. The other would have Euros, and maybe Africans. You would almost have instant rivalries.
Commissioner doesn’t give out checks. He presents venues for growth. And opportunities to enrich the brand. This is not one man’s vision. The Euro L has been aroung since 1958.
“ European professional basketball, with the EuroLeague as its top-tier competition, has been around since 1958 when the FIBA European Champions Cup was established.”
You can’t do anything in Europe without negotiating with Euro L first. Makes no business sense or any other sense. To start a new League there. Best course of action is doing it the Euro L. Go in business with them or Buy them. It’s the only way to do it. American fans are arrogant and ignorant about the business of sports abroad. Thus the reason for not having a good competitive National Football Team. You might know it as USMNT
Ideas man that Silver, lol. Pointless watered down product, like the G League. How about making the NBA the best basketball product it should and can be again?
How would you make it the best basketball product.