By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The Euroleague draw is considered by many the true start of the season, however this time things will be different. One day before, the first ever European basketball Clubs Convention will be held at Barcelona, a revolutionary concept for the future of the sport in the old continent.
In this convention all European clubs and leagues have been invited and more than 90 representatives will be present in this open event. The goal will be to establish a common strategy for professional basketball “in the short, middle and long terms, with particular emphasis on how to attract new fans to join the many millions already hooked on the sport”, as the official press release states.
The speakers in the convention will be Jordi Bertomeu, president and CEO of Euroleague Basketball; Shimon Mizrahi, president of Euroleague champion Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv; Jan Pommer, managing director of Germany’s BBL; Ioris Francini, President of IMG Media & Events and last but not least, an “outsider” from football, Andrea Agnelli, President of Juventus FC.
As Bertomeu says: “We conceived the idea of the European Basketball Clubs Convention so that the true drivers of our sport, the clubs, can define what they want for the future of European basketball. Now is the perfect time to have that conversation because we are convinced that there are many challenges to meet and opportunities to prepare for in the very near future”.
However what’s more important is that this convention will be open to every one via social media. Every media member in Europe and every fan will be welcomed to participate by submitting questions to the speakers using the hashtag #BasketballFuture on twitter and on facebook.