Dear Sir/Madam,
We, the members of the European Basketball Forum, which unites over 600 coaches,
experts from related fields, club owners, general managers, former players, and
representatives from public media, present this declaration in response to the
serious challenges facing European basketball. This initiative, born from long-term
and constructive dialogue, aims to protect the integrity and future of the European
basketball system, which is currently grappling with significant problems related to
the uncontrolled migration of young talent to the United States.
In recent years, an increasing number of young players are choosing to move to U.S.
university and professional leagues, resulting in the loss of top talent at a crucial
stage of development. This phenomenon has a profound impact on the quality of
European basketball as it leads to the weakening of domestic leagues, the loss of
national identities, and the redirection of resources, which were previously aimed
at developing European players, toward models that do not align with our cultural
and sporting values.
Given the seriousness of this problem, the forum is not against players moving to
the NCAA or NBA. On the contrary, the Forum advocates that all transitions and
player transfers be regulated through clear, international legal frameworks,
achievable only under FIBA standards. The Forum calls for the establishment of
a legal framework under FIBA that will ensure that each player’s move is
accompanied by fair and just compensation for all parties involved in the player’s
development. In order to ensure fairness in the process, legislative regulation of
player transfers to the U.S. must be based on FIBA regulations that guarantee a
balanced and equitable approach.
In light of this situation, as responsible representatives of the European basketball
community, we appeal to all relevant institutions and bodies to recognize the
seriousness of the problem and take immediate and appropriate measures to stop
the further erosion of European basketball, with FIBA leading the necessary actions.
Our Declaration contains the following key points:
Legislative Regulation of Player Migration
The first issue to address is the loss of top young players and the control over their
development. As European clubs and national federations continue to invest
substantial resources in the training and development of young players, they are
losing these talents during the most critical period of their development, between
the ages of 16 and 22. This migration undermines the long-term sustainability of
European basketball.
We call for the enactment of legal frameworks through FIBA regulations to regulate
the movement of young talent from Europe to the NCAA and NBA, in order to
preserve the European basketball development system and its infrastructure. This
framework must ensure that European clubs and federations are protected and
compensated fairly for the development of players they produce, reflecting the
value they bring to global basketball markets.
Protection of European Identity
A key aspect of the current crisis is the erosion of national identities in European
basketball. As more young players are lost to the American system, European teams
and national federations are receiving players who have been shaped by a
completely different basketball philosophy. These players come with different
values, playing styles, and tactical habits that disrupt the unity of teams and
diminish the competitive strength of European basketball.
We emphasize the importance of preserving the cultural, playing, and team values
of European basketball. The European approach to basketball, which emphasizes
technical skills, teamwork, and long-term development, is vital to maintaining the
integrity of the game on the continent. We believe that FIBA must take a more active
role in shaping the future of basketball by ensuring that the uniqueness of European
basketball is not lost in the rush toward American models.
Establishment of Institutional Regulations
To address these issues, we call for the creation of a unified European basketball
policy that ensures coordination between all European leagues, basketball
federations, and FIBA. This policy must facilitate a clear, legal framework for
regulating the migration of young players, and it should establish a sustainable
system that supports the development of young talent across Europe.
We urge FIBA to rework its current regulations, or to introduce new ones where
necessary, in order to create a legal agreement between FIBA and USA
Basketball that establishes a fair and transparent process for player transfers. This
agreement should ensure that the transfer of players is done with appropriate
financial compensation for the clubs, leagues, and federations that have developed
these players. It should also ensure that both the NCAA and NBA are held accountable
and are required to respect the same market regulations as their European
counterparts.
Increased Investment in Domestic Leagues and Development Programs
A critical step in protecting the future of European basketball is the increased
investment in domestic leagues and development programs. We call for national
federations and clubs to bolster their efforts in developing the infrastructure and
resources necessary to retain young talent in their home countries. With proper
investment in coaching, training facilities, and competitive leagues, European clubs
can continue to nurture and develop players to compete at the highest level.
These efforts must be aligned with FIBA’s broader vision and supported by clear,
enforceable regulations that ensure fairness and consistency across all regions.
Collaboration with International Institutions
Lastly, we call for active collaboration with international institutions, including
FIBA and other relevant bodies, to create an international framework that ensures a
balanced approach to the development of basketball talent. By working together
with global institutions, European basketball can ensure that both domestic and
international systems work in harmony, with the interests of players, clubs, and fans
at the forefront.
In conclusion, we urge all stakeholders in European basketball to take immediate
action to address the challenges outlined in this declaration. We recognize that the
future of European basketball depends on our ability to adapt, coordinate, and
protect the values that have made the sport unique and successful across Europe.
We trust that FIBA, along with national federations and leagues, will take
responsibility for ensuring that the necessary changes are made to safeguard the
future of European basketball. We remain committed to working together to create
a fair and sustainable system for the development of young players worldwide.
This declaration represents the collective stance of coaches, experts, club owners,
general managers, and all those committed to preserving European basketball.
Aware of the importance of this issue, we appeal to all members of the European
basketball community to support this initiative and contribute to its realization. Our
goal is to protect the future of European basketball, preserve its identity, and enable
young players to grow within systems that align with our values, supported by FIBA
regulations.
This declaration will be sent to all relevant addresses, including FIBA, European
political institutions, and all other organizations that the Forum believes can
contribute to solving this problem.
European Basketball Forum
Aleksandar – Sasa Djordjevic, Danko Cvijeticanin, Kosta Jankov
And other Forum members
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