By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In an interview with SPOR FM 94.6, Makis Aggelopoulos talked about utter fascism in European basketball and unfair competition practices by some teams. He went on describing how hard it was to persuade Jordan Theodore to accept AEK‘s offer and become the newest member of Luca Banchi’s squad.
“These moves are very difficult” he remarked and added: “The competitors have ten-year guaranteed contracts that gives them seven to eight million more revenue than we have all year. Our revenue is around 2 to 2.2 million euros. This is the difference between us and our competitors in Greece. We are forced to spend more money than them”.
“Unfortunately there is an issue that I believe will be soon resolved some way. About 650 teams play basketball in Europe involving thousands of players and coaches. Eleven dominating teams can’t command the rest with unfair competition practices. This is both a wish and something I was informed on” the Queen’s owner said.
“Whoever loves basketball should be concerned by this. ECA sees it differently. There is a proven successful model in football. There should have been a direct connection between the competitions, so revenues and the general image would be clear for the sponsors” Aggelopoulos mentioned and went on: “The other way, the shortest I believe, is that the Basketball Champions League gets to the point that teams won’t want to play one year in the EuroLeague to achieve their dreams. We already see Hapoel Jerusalem and Brose Bamberg that preferred the BCL. If BCL improves, so will the national leagues”.
He then explained: “There is unfair competition within the EuroLeague too, between the eleven teams and the other five that participate for one season and then go bankrupt or on the edge of bankruptcy. It’s unfair competition for the national leagues too, because the income from a private league provides an advantage over the teams with smaller revenue. There’s even a motion that these teams don’t see the point of facing clubs with a 300.000 euros budget. This punishes them also, because it creates an uncompetitive league”.
Aggelopoulos also pointed out: “In Spain, some EuroLeague spots are based on the teams ranking. In other countries like Greece, Italy and Israel there is utter fascism. It’s decided before the start of the league which teams will get this money. Only money counts, not any sport criteria or basketball. Why shouldn’t we have the chance to see a new Pop 84? The element of surprise has been suppressed. There will never be a Leicester example in basketball”.
Returning to 29-year-old Theodore, he said: “Of course convincing a EuroLeague-level player to play for AEK is difficult and a financial burden. For players like Jordan Theodore, the first issue is the financial part, the team’s environment follows. Besides the EuroLeague teams, AEK is the best place for any player to re-establish himself. I see that many people know what AEK means as a club. It’s a team that represents its rich history. Of course, our coach helped out”.