NBA Europe may partner with six EuroLeague clubs, but tensions arise over inclusion of all 13 shareholder teams.
NBA Europe explores partnership with EuroLeague clubs
NBA Europe is reportedly considering including six EuroLeague clubs—Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Fenerbahce Istanbul, FC Bayern Munich, Panathinaikos Athens, and ASVEL—in its proposed structure. This information comes from the site Meridian Sport, which notes that the cities of interest to NBA Europe include Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Berlin, Munich, Istanbul, and Athens. NBA Europe in talks with football clubs
The site also mentions that NBA Europe is in discussions with Paris Saint Germain and Milan AC, which do not have a basketball section. These talks suggest NBA Europe is looking to expand its European presence beyond traditional basketball teams and into other sports organizations. EuroLeague seeks unified approach to partnership
The CEO of EuroLeague, Chus Bueno, stated that EuroLeague clubs want to approach any potential agreement with the NBA collectively, rather than allowing each team to negotiate separate conditions. According to Chus Bueno, if the NBA Europe wants to form an alliance with EuroLeague, the clubs must be part of this model, and the financial conditions must be discussed. EuroLeague demands all clubs be included
One of the main conditions of EuroLeague for any potential partnership would be that all 13 shareholder clubs obtain a place in the new structure. This is in contrast to the fact that NBA Europe wants a platform of only 16 teams, with 4 through sporting merit. The shareholder group currently includes Anadolu Efes, Baskonia Vitoria, CSKA Moscow, Olimpia Milan, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Fenerbahce Istanbul, ASVEL, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olympiakos, Panathinaikos Athens, Real Madrid, and Zalgiris Kaunas. EuroLeague warns of fragmentation
Chus Bueno warned that excluding some EuroLeague shareholders from a potential agreement could lead to even greater fragmentation of European basketball. Some clubs have already told him: "If you reach an agreement with the NBA and exclude us, we will create our own competition." If the problem is not solved for everyone, there will be more competitions, whatever their names. The EuroLeague and the EuroCup will not disappear.
