The Euroleague agrees to move towards a franchise system

The conclave takes place on the shores of Lake Como, in Cernobbio, in a majestic hotel called Villa d'Este. In one of its rooms, the president of the Euroleague, Dejan Bodiroga, and the general director of the organization, Chus Bueno, meet with representatives of the 13 shareholders of the competition: Baskonia, Barcelona (president Joan Laporta attends), Real Madrid, Armani Milan, Maccabi, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, Efes, Fenerbahçe, Zalgiris, Asvel Villeurbanne, Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow, although the Russian team is excluded by political sanctions. On the table, draw up "a 10-year business plan" that leads to a firm decision: advance in the process of converting these licenses into franchises, study the offers of other clubs that intend to join that model and follow the plan independently of the NBA, which intends to arrive in Europe in 2027.

“The owners of the clubs present agreed to advance the process of converting the current 10-year licenses into franchises for the 13 shareholder clubs,” the Euroleague explained in a statement. The model thus seeks to increase the commercial value of clubs that have lamented the lack of greater economic benefit, even losses, when they are the protagonists of the great European club competition. Opening the business to other entities that would have to face an entry fee of between 40 and 90 million euros, and among which is Valencia Basket, would contribute to this. The wind of expansion may mean an increase in the number of teams participating in the Euroleague from 20 to 24, and a new competition system.