By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Paulius Motiejunas, the Euroleague Basketball CEO, talked to SKWEEK about the future of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Motiejunas provided an update on the situation regarding Dubai, relations with FIBA, Financial Fair Play, and future plans for the league.
Regarding Dubai, the EuroLeague has yet to decide whether to incorporate the UAE team. However, the ABA League’s vote in favor of Dubai’s entry into its ranks and participation in regional competitions represents a step forward.
“To spread the joy of basketball in the EuroLeague is something we are always looking for. The decision is difficult because we are talking about another continent, another culture, and a completely new staff. Negotiations take time because making a decision is not easy. The teams will vote; it hasn’t happened yet, but we’re going step by step. There are doubts, but we don’t see doubts on the faces of the people running the project. It’s a challenge for everybody, but it’s a new market. Like every project, it has negatives and positives,” Motiejunas said.
The idea is for the Dubai team to participate initially in the BKT EuroCup.
“The EuroLeague is a top-level competition, and entering it is like jumping on a train that runs at 120 km per hour. There is a risk, and we want to minimize it, so our proposal is to start with something smaller. That’s why we are talking about the Dubai team entering the Eurocup first and proving themselves—to convince everybody that they are ready for the EuroLeague.”
Regarding the future of the EuroLeague, Motiejunas confirmed that the number of participants will remain the same in the next season, but potential changes are being considered for the future.
“Next year, we are staying as we are right now. Let’s take it step by step; there is no clear plan yet. We need to see what will happen with the Russian clubs, when they will be able to come back, and which teams will make it from the Eurocup. There are many things that add up to the whole puzzle.”
Motiejunas emphasized that the EuroLeague was never planned to become a closed competition.
“No, it was never like this. The Eurocup is our second competition, which is very important; we have really great clubs there. We give everyone the chance to fight to get into the EuroLeague. We also need to grow the Eurocup; that’s where we see which clubs are developing. It is difficult to enter the EuroLeague directly, so it has to be a stepping stone for the clubs.”
Reports of the EuroCup merging with the FIBA Basketball Champions League were addressed.
“We had good talks with FIBA. A stable pyramid would be good, but many things have to come into place.”
With the possibility of increasing the number of participating clubs, there could be changes to the format.
“It is possible, but our main focus is to have a round-robin system. It’s the core of the Euroleague’s success, where everybody plays everybody. We understand that the schedule is difficult, but we want to keep it as much as possible.”
Financial Fair Play is an agenda under discussion with the clubs.
“It’s something that we are discussing with the clubs. We are working on it. I think in the future, it’s something we need to approve and to have the club management more sustainable.”
EuroLeague’s interest in the All-Star game was mentioned, although its realization might not occur in the upcoming season.
“Probably it won’t happen next season. The All-Star Game and other events are on our list, but we have to see how the calendar plays out. Of course, it will be great to gather all the teams and sponsors not only for the Final 4 but also for one more event during the season,” EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas concluded.
Photo: euroleaguebasketball.net