Israeli Basketball Teams Face Uphill Battle for EuroLeague Franchise Status

Two Israeli basketball clubs, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, may be facing an uphill battle to secure coveted EuroLeague franchise contracts. While both teams are reportedly among the 12 clubs that advanced to the next stage of a selection process for permanent league licenses, their chances appear slim according to recent reports.

The EuroLeague is undergoing a format change, with numerous clubs applying for permanent licenses. A podcast called "Floor Generals" has identified four clubs considered frontrunners for these licenses: Dubai, Valencia, PAOK Thessaloniki, and Paris. These clubs are reportedly in the strongest position due to meeting all necessary criteria.

PAOK Thessaloniki, in particular, is considered by sources close to the league management to be in the best situation, having recently changed ownership and invested heavily in the team. Following these four, the next strongest contenders are reportedly Virtus Bologna, Rome, and Napoli, with London Lions also having a reasonable chance.

Notably, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem were not mentioned among the leading contenders or even the next tier of clubs. This omission raises concerns about their standing in the race for a EuroLeague franchise contract, as the final selection of eight teams is expected soon.