However, at this point, this is practically only an intention and no EuroLeague member wishes for that. Not only CSKA which contacted Panathinaikos after the meeting, but no other club which is part of the EuroLeague core wishes for the Greeks to leave the joint venture and the competition. That was stressed by every party present in the Madrid meeting together with their respect towards the Greek club and the Giannakopoulos family.
On the other hand, there’s a united front that wants Dimitris Giannakopoulos to play by the rules. There’s an established path to resolve any conflicts or discrepancies and it’s not Instagram posts.
That was made clear to Giannakopoulos and that’s why all clubs responded in a negative way to his demand for an amnesty. That’s why any Instagram post that’s hurtful to the league will result in disciplinary proceedings and this is not going to stop.
While Giannakopoulos considers those fines personal attacks towards him, according to the rest of the clubs and the EuroLeague they are just the consequences of the competition’s bylaws.
And that’s why Giannakopoulos is in full control of his club’s destiny. Nobody will see Panathinaikos to the door and also nobody is going to turn a blind eye to him breaking the league’s rules. However, if Panathinaikos pulls the trigger, there are a lot of clubs who have already inquired and are ready to step up and take Panathinaikos’ spot.
You can argue that none of these clubs has the trophy case of the Greens and their tradition, but they are major clubs with EuroLeague experience. Still, and while EuroLeague’s and the rest of the clubs’ ultimate priority remains being Panathinaikos to stay in the league, at this point are ready to move on if they have to. The ball is in Giannakopoulos’ court.