EuroLeague remains open to talks with the NBA over a potential agreement for the future of European basketball. CEO Chus Bueno, however, warned about the risk of two rival competitions emerging on the continent: “It would be a disaster.”
“We had some conversations after Como,” Bueno told Reuters, referring to the October 6 meeting where EuroLeague clubs rejected the NBA’s collaboration proposal. “The position of the owners was very clear. We will always be open to listen and to talk with the NBA about any potential deal. But it has to make sense for us. The telephone lines are open and, if something has not worked, maybe there’s something that can work in the future.”
Bueno also stressed the importance of avoiding further market fragmentation: “If they decide to enter the market, it’s going to be a disaster. And they know, we know, and we don’t want that.” EuroLeague is meanwhile moving forward with expansion to 24 teams and plans to approve up to eight long-term franchise licences, with new clubs expected to be announced in mid-November. Bueno also said he considers it unlikely that current shareholder clubs will leave for NBA Europe, pointing to the financial and contractual costs of doing so.
Commenta
Visualizza commenti