By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague Basketball announced that ASVEL Villeurbanne might receive an “associate wild card” in order to participate in the competition for two seasons (starting from 2019-2020 when the expansion will take place), as long as the club meets specific requirements and complies with the “proposed minimum commitments.”
It has also been agreed by the Executive Board Members, that Bayern Munich will receive a wild card in the 2019-2020 expansion.
A few months ago, EuroLeague CEO Jordi Bertomeu said that ASVEL is indeed a “major candidate” in a potential expansion. During the 2017 French League playoffs, ASVEL president and four-time NBA champion Tony Parker had also mentioned that he hopes to see the club participating in EuroLeague “in two years.”
The announcement by EuroLeague is as follows:
“EuroLeague expansion opportunities were discussed with the Executive Board Members agreeing to incorporate two additional clubs in the 2019-20 season for a total of 18, with Germany and France the previously defined priority markets. In Germany, it was agreed that FC Bayern Munich will receive an associate wild card for two seasons, while in France Euroleague Basketball will continue working with ASVEL Villeurbanne to ensure compliance with the proposed minimum commitments, with a view to granting an associate wild card for two seasons. Attendees discussed proposed changes to the 2018-19 Bylaws. “