New EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno has confirmed that he will meet with a senior NBA executive this week to begin talks about the future of basketball in Europe.
Speaking to The Athletic, Bueno said he is willing to consider every possible option, from a partnership to a full merger between the two sides.
The meeting with George Aivazoglou comes at a pivotal moment for European basketball, with the NBA pushing ahead with plans for its own league on the continent and the EuroLeague trying to protect its place in the sport. Bueno, recently appointed to lead the competition, made it clear that the discussion will be open-ended, with no scenario ruled out as long as it makes sense both financially and from a basketball perspective.
“We think that everything is on the table,” Bueno said. He then added: “I know what the NBA brings to the table, and I know that the NBA would like to operate a league. Let’s have a discussion. If it makes sense for the teams, why not?”. He reinforced the point again by saying: “We are open to any scenario”.
Bueno also outlined what he sees as the best possible long-term outcome for the European game. “My ideal scenario is if the NBA merges with the EuroLeague,” he explained in the interview, while also making clear he would be open to the NBA buying equity in the EuroLeague or even acquiring the league outright. At the same time, EuroLeague is continuing with its own long-term plan, including turning its 13 core clubs into permanent franchises and expanding further.
Source: The Athletic
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