Jordi Bertomeu: We have never considered to change significally the competition format

Jordi Bertomeu opens the press conference after the decision to close the season of EuroLeague:

«We are taking one of the most difficult and saddest decision in Euroeleague history».

«This is the best decision for the good of basketball and our stakeholders. We have tried everything to resume the competitions».

«We have never considered to reviews the number of team or change significally the competition format. Reducing the number team doesn’t reflect what we are».

«The 2019-2020 EuroLeague and EuroCup will not have champions».

«Today we start working for the next season».

«Together (players, coaches, referees) we’ll come back stronger».

«Nobody is thinking about leaving EuroLeague due to effect of coronavirus and nobody expressed it in the conference call today».

«It is too early to evaluate the economic impact of coronavirus for next season».

«We have been working with teams last week to implement strategies mostly about ticketing».

«Main concerns of players during the meeting was about the short time of preparation. Most of the players said that they would not been able to perform at the level of this competition requires».

«We are in permanent contact with IMG. We share the same concerns and ideas and we are trying to overcome all the problems together».

«Now it is time to understand how it will be the impact for this season regarding the losses of teams».

«The committment of IMG and EuroLeague to continue together has never been in question».

«We have to work with fans to keep them engaged. And this is exactly what we are doing».

«It is possible we’ll start next season with some countries without fans and in others with fans. But our view is that the situation will be normal in a few months next season».

«I understand that teams are leading their competitions. There is a team leading EL and this doesn’t mean that they dont’ deserve to become champion. This concept is valid not only for EL but the EurCuop. We tried to show consistence. I totally understand that there are clubs that want to participate in EL next season, I am proud that there are team that are aspiring to play in EuroLeague. But people have to understand how exceptionally is the situation. Basically we have to express our value».

«Too early to say if Koln will host next season Final Four. We’ll make our effort to make it happen».

«We are in talks with local partners and we are finding a way on how to compensate them».

«Our club understood that this year will be different on the income they will get from EuroLeague».

«I am sure that next season will be the best season ever».

«There is not one team that is losing more than another. We are all losers due to pandemic».