By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Speaking to Reuters about the implications of the NBA’s plan to create a new league in Europe, Fenerbahce General Manager Maurizio Gherardini, who in the past has been the assistant general manager of the Toronto Raptors, explained that everything seems to be on the rise for the sport in Europe and also why EuroLeague remains unique.
“All the parameters of the EuroLeague keep growing, in terms of fans, attendance, social media interaction, sponsors, interest. And it’s not a coincidence,” said Gherardini, speaking about the improvements made in the last 25 years.
On the other hand, he explained why the competition remains unique while also acknowledging that some kind of collaboration with the NBA would help.
As Gherdardini elaborated: “That being said, I think we can do better, maybe with somebody else’s contribution or guidance. But what you breathe inside some of the arenas in Europe is something that you cannot find anywhere else in the basketball world in terms of that sort of atmosphere.”
The story underlines how a “potential European league could be a goldmine for the NBA as the top-flight North American league looks to muscle its way into a deep pool of talent across the Atlantic”.
On the other hand, this is a two-way street, with former player and current agent Pete Mickael explaining that the mentality of the US players towards Europe has also changed in the past few years.
“Back then it was ‘NBA or you’re a bust’. That was the mentality,” said Mickeal. “Now, the mentality is totally different… and the conditions overseas have dramatically improved.”