Andreas Zagklis has confirmed that the new European basketball competition will feature 12 permanent franchises and 4 additional spots awarded based on sporting merit. He stressed the significance of national championships and placed paramount importance on the Basketball Champions League (BCL). All qualified teams will share in the profits equitably from the outset. The BCL champion will gain direct entry, while the runner-up and third-placed team will participate in a season-ending qualification tournament alongside top teams from other national leagues.
About FIBA’s Role in the New Project:
“I am very excited about the progress of this new European competition. This represents the largest investment ever made in our sport in Europe. Our role as FIBA is to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders within the FIBA pyramid.”
About Profit Sharing Among Participants:
“A key and innovative element of this project, a crucial component of the plan that wasn’t even mentioned in our announcement last year, is that teams qualifying for the competition will receive the same initial revenue and performance-based income as the permanent franchises. This is an established right. It’s vital for us not only to attract the investment we are currently seeing in the franchise allocation process but also to incentivize investors in clubs that compete annually in national leagues and the BCL to qualify for the top-tier competition. This will make club basketball in Europe highly attractive, not just for clubs with permanent franchises but also for at least 150 other clubs across Europe. I must say that the operational teams are meeting very frequently, practically every week, to prepare the project. It’s no longer just a theoretical concept.”
About Meetings with Euroleague:
“To reach an agreement, you need people determined to do so at all costs. Today, we have the determination to move forward, with or without an agreement. While this might seem like a step towards fragmentation, I see it as a step towards an agreement, as it’s the only way to get people to make concessions and find common ground.”
About the Importance of Meritocracy in Sport:
“I firmly believe that in the European sports model, with hundreds of clubs and thousands, if not millions, of supporters for each, it’s essential to respect the fans of all clubs. Therefore, this 25% opening of the competition demonstrates the utmost respect for all basketball fans on the continent, as it allows them to watch and dream of their club competing at the highest level. Some fans are privileged today, but that might not be the case tomorrow. We will not harm them, as they will always have the opportunity to see their team participate every year. Even without a permanent license, it’s possible to play in the top competition annually.”
About Team Access to the League:
“Qualification will not depend solely on the second division (BCL) but also on national championships and qualification tournaments. If you have a strong team, even without a permanent license, you can play every year. This is entirely possible and directly linked to sporting merit. We are working towards the objective of October 2027. The mechanism is clear. Qualification will be through the BCL and through one or more end-of-season qualification tournaments for the top teams from the highest-ranked national leagues. This is clear.”
“The BCL will offer us three teams; depending on the year, one or two might qualify directly, at least one, and the second or third would participate in qualification tournaments. We will then rank national leagues based on their clubs’ European participation, so the highest-ranked non-qualified team can compete in the end-of-season tournament. If we start in October 2027, at the end of that season, we will have the BCL Final Four and the qualification tournaments, which will determine the four teams that would play in the league the following year.”
About Respect for Leagues and National Teams:
“Regarding the format of the new competition, we are studying a final phase that will allow teams to play multiple home games. Teams are working on developing an inclusive calendar that respects national championships, which play a vital role. This calendar will enable the new league to develop and promote its assets, and for national teams to have their best players available. The goal is for every team to be able to field its top players, whether for a national league game on the weekend, during the week with the BCL or the new league, or for World Cup qualifiers with their national team.”
Paraphrased Text in English:
Andreas Zagklis announced that the new European basketball competition will consist of 12 permanent franchises and 4 additional spots earned through sports achievement. He emphasized the crucial role of national championships and the Basketball Champions League (BCL). All participating teams will receive an equal share of profits from the start. The BCL champion will automatically qualify, while the second and third-place finishers will enter a playoff tournament with top teams from other national leagues.
FIBA’s Role in the New Initiative:
“I am highly optimistic about the advancement of this new European competition. It’s the most significant investment our sport has seen in Europe. FIBA’s responsibility is to ensure the interests of all parties across the entire FIBA structure are considered.”
Profit Distribution for Participants:
“A groundbreaking aspect of this plan, which was not previously disclosed, is that qualified teams will receive identical initial revenue and performance-based earnings as the permanent franchises. This is a guaranteed right. It’s critical for us to attract investment for franchise applications and to motivate investors in clubs that consistently compete in national leagues and the BCL to aspire to reach this top-level competition. This will make European club basketball incredibly appealing, not only to the established franchises but also to potentially 150 other clubs across Europe. The operational teams are in constant, weekly meetings to finalize the project; it’s no longer just an idea.”
Discussions with Euroleague:
“Achieving an agreement requires genuine commitment from all parties. We are currently committed to moving forward, regardless of an agreement. While this might appear to foster division, I believe it will ultimately lead to a resolution, compelling everyone to compromise and find common ground.”
The Significance of Meritocracy:
“I am a strong believer that in the European sports model, with hundreds of clubs and millions of fans collectively, it is imperative to honor the supporters of every club. This 25% opening of the competition is a profound show of respect for all fans across the continent, offering them the chance to see their club compete at the highest level. While some fans may have an advantage now, this opens new possibilities for others. Their existing opportunities will not be diminished, as they can still follow their teams annually. Even without a permanent license, annual participation in the top league is attainable.”
League Access for Teams:
“Qualification will not solely depend on the BCL but also on national league performance and qualification tournaments. A strong team, even without a permanent license, can compete annually. This is entirely feasible and directly tied to athletic achievement. Our target is October 2027. The qualification pathway is clear: through the BCL and through end-of-season playoff tournaments for the top national league teams. This is definitive.”
“The BCL will grant us three entries; depending on the year, one or two teams might qualify directly, with at least one spot guaranteed, and the second or third-place finisher entering the qualification tournaments. Subsequently, national leagues will be ranked based on their clubs’ European performance, allowing the top non-qualified team to participate in the end-of-season playoffs. By October 2027, following the BCL Final Four and the qualification tournaments, we will determine the four teams for the following year’s league.”
Respect for Leagues and National Teams:
“Regarding the new competition’s format, we are exploring a playoff system that will allow teams to host multiple games. Efforts are underway to create a schedule that is inclusive and respects national championships, which are fundamental. This calendar will facilitate the growth of the new league and highlight its strengths, while ensuring national teams can call upon their best players. The objective is for every team to be able to field its strongest lineup, whether for a weekend league match, a mid-week BCL or new league game, or for national team duty during World Cup qualifiers.”
