By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) Shareholders Board met in Barcelona Thursday to review the end-of-season data and approve the competitions bylaws.
The changes include the rise of the total EuroLeague clubs minimum budget to €7M, as opposed to previously €5.4M, starting from the 2022-23 campaign.
The Board further approved the season schedule, with the new EuroLeague season set to tip-off on September 30, 2021, and the new EuroCup campaign to start on October 20.
Per the press release:
Meeting in Barcelona, the Euroleague Commercial Assets Shareholders reviewed the performance of the competitions during the 2020-21 season and discussed the future, taking the following decisions:
– Reviewed end-of-season data on different topics:
o All competitions completed, with 18 games (5.5%) having been rescheduled in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 21 games (11%) having been rescheduled in the 7DAYS EuroCup, where 2 games (1%) were also relocated.
o Steady growth in audience levels in both competitions, highlighted by:
a 79% growth in EuroLeague regular season and 50% in EuroLeague playoffs live audience figures.
51% growth in EuroLeague social media engagement and 39% in video views, with the Final Four seeing higher growth levels of 82% and 99% respectively. The EuroCup registered 17% growth in social media engagement.
22% growth in EuroLeague interest levels in the competition’s territories compared to 2019, with Spain, Italy, Israel, Turkey, France and Germany driving highest growth rates; 19% growth in EuroCup interest levels in the competition’s territories compared to 2019, with Greece, Spain, Turkey and Italy driving highest growth rates (research conducted by Nielsen Sports in March/April 2021).
65% to 85% of fans willing or highly willing to attend a live basketball game when restrictions are lifted (research conducted by Nielsen Sports in March/April 2021).
– Approved 2021-22 competitions bylaws, which include the following modifications, amongst others:
o Minimum EuroLeague club budget set at €7 million (previously at €5.4 million)
o Updated EuroLeague shareholders’ contribution limitations:
2021-22: 55% of budgeted expenses instead of 50%
2022-23: 50% instead of 40%
o Transitory EuroLeague and EuroCup marketing provisions that were introduced in the 2020-21 season and help limit impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing available commercial assets for clubs are maintained for the 2021-22 season.
o EuroLeague and EuroCup game technical rules:
Instant Replay System (IRS) review of basket value to be performed during the next timeout or at the end of the quarter to reduce game interruptions, except in last two minutes of regular time and overtime.
Head coaches will be allowed to call one “challenge” per game to ask the referees to review a play within the established IRS reviewable situations.
o Medical and Health & Safety Protocols: reviewed progress of the Team Doctors and EB Medical Officer meetings, including main concepts concerning rule updates on both protocols.
The complete bylaws of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and of the 7DAYS EuroCup will be made publicly available in the upcoming weeks.
– Approved proposed lists of 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup participating teams.
– Approved 2021-22 season calendar:
o EuroLeague to start on September 30.
o EuroCup to start on October 20.
– Approved 2020-21 closing financial figures and 2021-22 projections.
– Approved first-ever European Framework Agreement with the EuroLeague Players Association, which will regulate the working relationship between EuroLeague clubs and players for the next three seasons.
Photo: EuroLeague