The **EuroLeague**, a top-tier European basketball competition, has taken a significant step in transforming its structure. Club owners of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) have agreed to convert the current licenses of the 13 shareholder clubs into franchises. This decision was made during a meeting on October 6, 2026, in Cernobbio, Italy. The transition process has been in motion for several months, with the **EuroLeague** confirming its intent to shift from long-term licenses to franchises as early as June 2026 and officially starting its expansion in July 2026. In France, the ASVEL club in Villeurbanne is directly impacted by this change. As one of the 13 historical shareholders of the **EuroLeague**, ASVEL must transition to the new franchise model. This places it in a different position compared to other French clubs currently participating in the **EuroLeague**, which are not part of the original shareholder group. The decision in Cernobbio comes amid ongoing talks between the **EuroLeague** and the **NBA** about the future of European basketball. However, the club owners have chosen to proceed with their own plans rather than aligning with the **NBA**’s timeline or model. A major focus of the **EuroLeague**’s transformation is its expansion. The shareholders have confirmed that the process of assigning new franchises will continue. The board of directors now needs to assess the various proposals received and present a final recommendation to the owners in the coming weeks. No new club has yet received the coveted franchise status. The **EuroLeague**’s stated goal is to have 24 teams by the 2027-2028 season, with up to 21 franchises. The current 13 shareholders would form the foundation of this new structure, potentially adding up to eight new permanent members. Paris Basketball remains actively involved in this expansion phase. The club from the capital was among the 11 projects initially selected to continue the application process launched this summer. By the end of August, these 11 candidates were invited to submit offers totaling nearly 700 million euros in franchise rights. Other projects have since joined the race, though the **EuroLeague** has not yet disclosed future selections. In France, the situation is distinct: ASVEL is already part of the shareholder group set to become franchises, while Paris Basketball must still convince the **EuroLeague** as part of its expansion process. The **EuroLeague** has decided to continue with its transformation several months ahead of the anticipated deadline for the 2027-2028 season.