By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos confirmed that a discussion has already begun with Panathinaikos regarding the possibility of the Greek powerhouse joining the competition next season.
Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos has been in a major dispute against EuroLeague and its CEO Jordi Bertomeu these last months and has been seriously considering having the club leave the top-tier continental championship and play in a FIBA competition, such as the Champions League.
Here’s what Comninos said to Greek radio station Sport-FM:
“All teams that express an interest of competing in the Basketball Champions League are addressed by us with the manner of discussions. There are a lot of teams that have expressed an interest and, of course, Panathinaikos will be addressed as one of the greatest and most historic teams of Europe.
“Along with the intention of Panathinaikos to examine the prospect of playing in the competition, there are also other teams to which we have made clear that since they can secure a spot via their (domestic) leagues, they can play in Europe.”
“There have been some initial conversations with Panathinaikos. This week that I will be here, we’ll have an opportunity to talk. It’s an important opportunity to jointly examine the prospect of (Panathinaikos) playing in the competition.”
“There won’t be anything different for Panathinaikos than what we offer the rest of the teams. The Champions League principals are absolute and all teams that compete know this. There won’t be a particular inducement that is against our logic.”