EuroLeague Owners Meet to Discuss Major Expansion and Financial Overhaul

The EuroLeague is on the verge of significant changes as the owners of its 13 founding clubs convene in Como, Italy, for a crucial meeting. The primary agenda item is the expansion of the league to 24 teams, a move anticipated to take effect in the 2027-28 season. Under a proposed NBA-style franchise model, the current founding members will transition from guaranteed spots to permanent franchises. The league plans to issue eight new franchise licenses, with 13 clubs, including Israeli teams Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, vying for these spots. However, European reports suggest that clubs like Aris Thessaloniki, Valencia, and Serbian teams Crvena Zvezda and Partizan Belgrade are considered stronger contenders.

The financial implications of this expansion are substantial, with franchise costs estimated between 50 to 90 million euros per team, potentially generating up to 560 million euros for the EuroLeague if all eight licenses are sold. The distribution of these funds among the founding clubs, aimed at providing both sporting and financial support, is also a key discussion point, with a potential 43 million euros per club if divided equally. The final format for team entry, which may include annually invited teams or qualifiers from the EuroCup, is still being finalized. The EuroLeague is also considering a mid-season tournament, similar to the NBA's model.

High-profile figures are expected at the meeting, including Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and Barcelona president Joan Laporta, underscoring the importance of the discussions. The presence of Olympiacos owners Dimitris Giannakopoulos and the Angelopoulos brothers, despite past tensions, also highlights the gravity of the situation. The league's current single-league format is expected to be replaced with a two-conference structure, potentially mirroring the NBA, with a revised number of regular-season games.

Discussions may also touch upon a potential merger or collaboration with the NBA's upcoming European league, though this is largely viewed in Europe as an "exit" strategy for the NBA rather than a true merger. Reports suggest the NBA is exploring establishing basketball departments within major football clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool. Separately, the article notes that the return of EuroLeague games to Israel is not currently on the agenda, with Maccabi Tel Aviv reportedly preparing to play home games in Cyprus and Hapoel Tel Aviv securing accommodation in Sofia, Bulgaria.