By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
During a two-day meeting of the EuroLeague board, discussions included the (not possible at the moment) return of games in Israel, the situation with the possible NBA expansion, and more. However, one key aspect of the competition’s future has been officially announced.
The changes on the Financial Fair Play regulations are moving forward as voted, however, the important number confirmed by the league is that the average revenues of the EuroLeague clubs that have an A license is 19,5M euros.
This number exceeds expectations and is projected to be higher in the next two seasons, when the European version of the “luxury tax” will finally be fully implemented in the summer of 2027.
This number puts the salary floor at 5,8M euros for A-licensed clubs, to 4.7M for those getting a wildcard, and to 4M for those getting a spot via the EuroCup, while the theoretical high limit for paying a “Competitive Balance Compensation” is set around 12M with the excluding U23 Players, Extended-Tenure Players, Long-Term Unavailability and Medium-Range Exception, making things manageable for most teams, including big spenders.
For the moment, EuroLeague will take into account for next season only the Base Remuneration Level of the salaries, which is set at 8M euros and does not include the previously mentioned exceptions, plus the two biggest contracts of each roster.
Per the press release: EuroLeague Basketball has officially announced the implementation of the Competitive Balance Standards (CBS), a comprehensive set of regulations designed to enhance the current Financial Stability & Fair Play Regulations (FSFPR). The new measures, set to take effect in the 2025-26 season, aim to strengthen financial sustainability, promote competitive balance, prevent inappropriate practices, and increase transparency among participating clubs while aligning all stakeholders’ objectives.
Presented in September, the CBS ensures equal remuneration levels across all clubs based on collective revenues. This framework establishes a structured compensation system to maintain financial equilibrium while harmonizing the impact of the different taxation models coexisting in the League by valuing the indicators on net amounts. The 2025-26 season marks the initial phase of a progressive implementation process, culminating in full implementation by the 2027-28 season.
Key Financial Regulations
The CBS will introduce the Average Licensed Clubs Defined Revenues (ALCDR)—comprising game-day earnings, commercial revenues, and other income generated by EuroLeague licensed clubs over a three-season period—as the reference point for determining club’s upper thresholds and the mandatory minimum spending level on players’ remunerations.
The Low, Base and High remunerations Levels, calculated as a percentage of the ALCDR will include the following adaptations for the 2025-26 season:
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2025-26 Average Licensed Clubs Defined Revenues (ALCDR): calculated ahead of every season over a three-season period – €19,489,944.
- 2025-26 Low Remuneration Level (LRL) – The minimum net expenditure required for clubs’ remunerations to players, varying by club license type:
- Licensed Clubs: 30% of ALCDR – €5,846,983
- Associated clubs via wildcard: 24% of ALCDR – €4,677,587
- Associated Clubs via EuroCup: 21% of ALCDR – €4,092,888
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2025-26 Base Remuneration Level (BRL) – The net amount any participating club may spend on registered players’ remuneration, excluding Anchor Players, U23 Players, Extended-Tenure Players, Long-Term Unavailability, and Medium-Range Exceptions.
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40% of ALCDR – €7.795.978. As the Base remuneration level is lower than the minimum set, the BRL for the 2025-26 will be €8.000.000.
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High Remuneration Level (HRL) – To be in force starting on the 2027-28 season. The HRL determines the net amount that any given club may spend on registered players’ remuneration, including Anchor Players, and excluding U23 Players, Extended-Tenure Players, Long-Term Unavailability and Medium-Range Exception.
To ensure financial fairness, the Competitive Balance Compensation (CBC) will also be introduced in 2025-26. This system serves as a financial mechanism designed to redistribute funds collected from clubs exceeding the BRL and HRL. These funds will be allocated equally to compliant clubs at the end of the season. During the transition period, the CBC will apply solely to clubs surpassing the BRL, as the HRL remains unrestricted to facilitate a smoother adaptation to the new regulations.
Euroleague Basketball remains committed to fostering a financially sustainable and competitively balanced environment, ensuring long-term growth and transparency for all stakeholders. The CBS framework marks a pivotal step in achieving these objectives, laying the foundation for a more stable and equitable future in European basketball.