By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas commented on the possibility of Russian club CSKA Moscow returning to the competition even by the next season.
“We look at this as the statement of one person,” Motiejunas said to MissMatch podcast when asked about EHCB (EuroLeague Head Coaches Board) executive director Goran Sasic saying that he expects Russian teams to come back to the EuroLeague even in 2025-26. “We all have our own opinion, but it has nothing to do with the position of the EuroLeague”.
While a EuroLeague shareholder, CSKA hasn’t participated in the EuroLeague since February 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“If the situation doesn’t change completely, as long as it is like this, there’s no point in even talking about a return. There are sanctions and war. What kind of return can we talk about?”
CSKA’s EuroLeague return is more than doubtful, at least for the next season,n but there are other clubs that could join the competition. Especially if an expansion takes place that would increase the teams to 20.
Motiejunas confirmed the expansion scenarios and named Dubai BC as a club that has joined the list of potential new EuroLeague entries.
“For many years, the potential expansion markets have remained the same, with Dubai emerging as a new candidate,” Motiejunas said. “Valencia has always been a strong option. They are a stable team with impressive results, a great city, and a new arena under construction. They remain a top choice.”
“France, with a strong Paris team, as well as Italy and Germany, are all crucial markets for us,” Motiejunas added. “Additionally, teams like Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem from the EuroCup are knocking on the EuroLeague’s door. They certainly have a chance to compete in the EuroLeague in the future.”
Talks with the NBA
On the other end of the spectrun the EuroLeague CEO talked about the plans of an NBA expansion in Europe and revealed that EuroLeague had such conversations with the NBA.
Motiejunas also elaborated on his meetings with the NBA when he was first appointed EuroLeague CEO: “I had meetings with Mark Tatum and the head of NBA Europe, though the head of that position has since changed. But after a decade without dialogue, there is a lack of trust between us, which makes it difficult to make significant decisions together.”