By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Union of Euroleague Basketball Officials (UEBO) and Turkish Airlines EuroLeague have reached an agreement for the next four years.
Per EuroLeague:
Euroleague Basketball and the Union of Euroleague Basketball Officials (UEBO) have reached a history-making framework agreement, the first of its kind in European team sports between an organization and its referees.
The framework agreement covers the next four seasons, during which time the referees collective will provide independent services to the clubs to officiate all Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup games.
Among other things, the agreement covers game fees for the referees and guarantees all referees a minimum annual amount from their game fees. It also provides an insurance policy for the referees and support for them when they stop officiating in international club competitions governed by Euroleague Basketball.
The referees are bound by the agreement to comply with the Euroleague Basketball Officials Regulations, In-Arena Code of Conduct and disciplinary code.
As has always been the case until now, the referees will be available to officiate in other basketball competitions.
“This first-of-its-kind agreement with our referees is another step toward guaranteeing fans that the quality of games in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup will remain strong going forward,” Eduard J. Scott, Euroleague Basketball’s Chief Operations Officer said. Referees, together with players and coaches, play a vital role in the growth of club basketball at the highest level in Europe. All our stakeholders can be assured that a strong level of professionalism will continue to characterize the officiating in the EuroLeague and EuroCup competitions.”
The agreement was signed on Wednesday by UEBO president Sasa Pukl at Euroleague Basketball headquarters in Barcelona.
“The signing of this agreement today is surely a historical moment for referees,” Pukl said. “Such an agreement is a first in European and international basketball competitions. It is a historical moment, first of all, for all 71 Euroleague Basketball referees who will benefit from this agreement, but also for future generations of EB referees. All 71 of us are looking forward to an even closer cooperation with players, coaches and everybody else in our competitions.”