By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
FIBA has decided to “derecognise” the Adriatic league in a decision which was the first public move of the new plan for reclaiming Euroleague’s control. However the clubs of the region support the league, its current management and are welcoming a possible change which will include a second division of the league in order to include more teams from the region. The clubs met in Belgrade just before the start of the play offs and the following announcement was issued asking also the support of the local national federations.
“With a goal of progress of ABA League, raising its quality and adjustment to the needs and the interests of clubs, at the meeting of the ABA League clubs with the representatives of the management of ABA League/ABA Sidro d.o.o., held on 13 April 2015 in Belgrade, the decision was reached that by the 5 May 2015 a proposal of normative legal acts with a goal of transformation of ownership and managing structures of ABA League/ABA Sidro d.o.o., which will be discussed at the Assemblies.
The consequence of the agreed changes will be progress and modernization of ABA League, in a direction of strengthening the position of clubs, as the basic carriers of activities in the ABA League.
The new structure will be composed by the example of Euroleague, which means that the ownership and managing structure will both be in the hands of the clubs.
The new concept of ABA League was agreed on, and it is demanded from the ABA League management to prepare and present a plan of transformation of the ownership and managing structure in the shortest possible period in cooperation with renowned company Deloitte.
The plan of transformation will be presented at the forthcoming meeting of the Assembly of the ABA League Clubs, which will be held immediately after the end of 2015 ABA League Playoffs, or at latest by 15 May.
Also, all changes have to be finished and prepared by the beginning of 2015/16. Which means at latest by 15 July 2015, when the 2015/16 Draw is planned to take place.
The representatives of the clubs stated that ABA League made a huge contribution for the affirmation and raise of quality of the clubs from the entire region and basketball as well. As such, it represents the absolute interest of all clubs.
For many years, ABA League has been the only path for participation of the clubs from the region in the most important European club competitions, which is a priority also in the forthcoming period. With a goal for further development and progress of basketball in the region, the conclusion was made that the question of the second division of ABA League should be opened, so that the idea could come to life soon.
The clubs of ABA League are convinced that national basketball federations will support the transformation of ABA League/ABA Sidro d.o.o., so that the regional competition, which is in the common interest of regional basketball, could be preserved.“
The announcement was signed by the representatives of Budućnost VOLI, Cedevita, Cibona, Crvena zvezda Telekom, Krka, Mega Leks, Metalac Farmakom, MZT Skopje Aerodrom, Union Olimpija, Partizan NIS, Zadar and representatives of ABA League/ABA Sidro d.o.o.