Chus Bueno Warns EuroLeague Clubs About NBA Europe Ambitions

Thirteen shareholder clubs have signed ten-year franchise agreements. Could some still join NBA Europe without a global deal?

"I don’t think that will happen. I believe our teams want to stay together, and that's what I've heard from everyone at our meeting at Lake Como. If a team wants to leave, it will have to pay a penalty; it could lose a bit over 80 million euros. And if a team leaves and then wants to return, it will also have to pay a return fee. I think they have a lot to lose by leaving."

Although shareholders rejected the NBA's proposal on October 6th during their meeting in Cernobbio by Lake Como, the decision revealed divisions among the clubs.

"We've had discussions since the Como meeting, and the position of the EuroLeague owners has been very clear. We are still open to discussing with the NBA for a potential agreement. But this agreement must be beneficial for us. Our phone lines remain open for communication, and if something doesn't work, we'll be ready to discuss it later."

However, he sees a danger in the arrival of a rival competition that the NBA plans to launch in 2027:

"If they decide to enter the market, it will be a disaster. They know it, we know it, and we don't want that. If you are divided, you lose value."

The executive acknowledged that only 40% of current license holders are financially viable. He is counting on expansion to 24 clubs, with up to eight new long-term franchise licenses, to change this situation:

"I think in five years, thanks to this expansion, we could be in a position where most, if not all, will be viable."

According to projections cited by Reuters, the combined value of licensed clubs is expected to rise from 1.8 to 5.4 billion euros, and the league's value from 1.4 to 7.98 billion euros over the next decade. This ten-year plan allocates 3.4 billion euros to the teams. The first new franchises are expected to be announced in mid-November, with Paris Basketball reportedly among the strong candidates.