Israeli Basketball Clubs Vie for Permanent EuroLeague Licenses

The EuroLeague shareholders will convene in Italy on Tuesday to vote on granting long-term licenses to select clubs, a decision that could significantly impact European basketball. Among the 13 candidates vying for these coveted spots are Israeli teams Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem. Up to eight clubs may be awarded permanent status, though some decisions might be postponed. The proposals submitted by the clubs are reportedly valued at over 900 million euros, with individual bids kept confidential. Shimon Mizrahi, Chairman of Maccabi Tel Aviv, will represent Israel at the shareholders' meeting. In addition to the licensing issue, EuroLeague management will also discuss expanding the competition from 20 to 24 teams starting in the 2027/28 season, a move that could further alter the league's structure. For Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, securing a permanent license would provide professional and financial stability, guaranteeing their participation in the EuroLeague for years to come and solidifying their position among Europe's elite basketball clubs. Other notable candidates for the licenses include Partizan Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda, Valencia, Virtus Bologna, Paris, Dubai, and London Lions.