EuroLeague Expansion Decision Postponed, Hapoel Teams Await Bids
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem's bids for EuroLeague franchises were postponed Tuesday after a league meeting approved a 24-team expansion for 2027-28 but delayed awarding new licenses. An NBA partnership proposal was rejected, though the league has 30 days to submit a new offer. The Israeli clubs are among 13 candidates vying for eight available spots, with owners Ofer Yanai and Matan Adelson awaiting further decisions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- EuroLeague expansion to 24 teams from 2027-28 was approved, but new franchise licenses were not awarded.
- Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem are among 13 clubs competing for eight available EuroLeague spots.
- An NBA partnership proposal was rejected, with the league given 30 days to present an improved offer.
- Existing EuroLeague shareholders opposed immediate dilution of their league shares.
- Olympiacos representative Georgios Angelopoulos strongly criticized the NBA's initial offer.
Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem will have to wait to learn their European basketball future after a EuroLeague shareholders meeting in Italy on Tuesday postponed a decision on new franchise licenses. The meeting officially approved expanding the league to 24 teams starting in the 2027-28 season, with 13 founding clubs, including Maccabi Tel Aviv, becoming permanent franchises. However, the selection of the eight new clubs to receive licenses was deferred.
Existing shareholders are reportedly open to the franchise model but oppose immediate dilution of their league shares. A gradual integration model is now expected, where new teams would first join competitively before potentially acquiring controlling stakes. This approach reflects shareholder concerns about maintaining their influence.
A proposed partnership with the NBA was unanimously rejected by the 13 shareholders. Olympiacos representative Georgios Angelopoulos strongly criticized the NBA's offer as "colonialist, ridiculous, and unacceptable," with Barcelona, Armani Milan, and Baskonia supporting his stance. Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, and Fenerbahce advocated for renewed discussions.
Ultimately, Real Madrid's proposal was accepted, granting the NBA 30 days to submit a revised and improved offer with better financial terms for European clubs. Thirteen clubs remain active candidates for the remaining eight franchise spots: Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, Paris, Dubai, Valencia, Virtus Bologna, Partizan Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda, PAOK Thessaloniki, Aris, Napoli, Roma, and London Lions.
Until the NBA negotiations conclude, the owners of Hapoel Tel Aviv, Ofer Yanai, and Hapoel Jerusalem, Matan Adelson, will continue to await the next board meeting to determine the final conditions for their potential entry.
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