EuroLeague Basketball, clubs continue focusing on future progress

Euroleague Basketball and its member clubs continue working on a daily basis to plan together all the different scenarios that are possible during the current period of suspension of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup, as well as to lay the groundwork for future improvements in the competitions.

Since the suspension of both competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an agenda of phone calls and video conference meetings has been observed to keep the business of basketball running despite the lack of games at the most elite level in Europe.

Among the initiatives underway are periodic video conference meetings sharing basketball operations matters amongst EuroLeague clubs and the league. The meetings have been attended by the general manager or sports director from all 18 EuroLeague teams. The main item has been the discussion of COVID-19’s impact on the competitions and the preparations needed to overcome its interruption, both in the short term as well as with regards to players, calendars, domestic leagues preparations and bylaws for the 2020-21 season.

Additionally, the media directors at all 18 EuroLeague teams held a virtual meeting together to address both the communications response to the current situation, ways in which the fans can be informed going forward to the eventual restart of the competition, and the coordination of the successful #EUROLEAGUEUNITED campaign. Soon after the suspension of the competitions, Euroleague Basketball and the clubs created the #EUROLEAGUEUNITED campaign to raise awareness of the precautions needed to keep people safe. That effort included players, coaches, referees and other stakeholders who also joined forces on both traditional and social media to send messages of perseverance and solidarity to Euroleague Basketball fans everywhere. #EUROLEAGUEUNITED has had more than 14 million video views since it was launched, with an estimated 61 million people reached and 3.5 million engagements among EuroLeague fans, teams and players.

Likewise, EuroLeague BOCS (Business Operations & Club Services) has recently held rounds of video conference meetings with the chief business officers at the 18 EuroLeague teams to share insights on how each is handling the pandemic; to unify strategies to make venues safe and comfortable for spectators once restrictive measures are eased; and to think of innovative ways to keep fans and partners engaged during the pandemic and beyond.