EuroLeague Officials Visit Israel, Sparking Hopes for Return of Games
Translated & summarized from 0404 by baba
Senior EuroLeague officials visited Israel, leading to optimism about the return of EuroLeague and EuroCup games. Co-owner Gal Mekel expressed hope that meetings with Israeli clubs and exposure to local conditions would facilitate this. Hapoel Jerusalem is also seeking a permanent EuroLeague franchise license, believing it meets the criteria for future inclusion. Decisions on both matters are anticipated in the coming months.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- EuroLeague officials visited Israel, sparking optimism for the return of European basketball games.
- Gal Mekel, Hapoel Jerusalem co-owner, believes the visit showed Israel is suitable for hosting games.
- Israeli clubs Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Hapoel Tel Aviv met with EuroLeague representatives.
- Hapoel Jerusalem is also pursuing a permanent EuroLeague license under a franchise model.
- Decisions regarding the return of games and Hapoel Jerusalem's potential franchise status are expected in the coming months.
Senior officials from the EuroLeague visited Israel this week, generating optimism among Israeli basketball clubs, particularly Hapoel Jerusalem, regarding the potential return of EuroLeague and EuroCup games to the country. Gal Mekel, a co-owner of Hapoel Jerusalem, expressed hope that recent meetings would lead to a significant change allowing European games to be hosted in Israel again.
During their visit, EuroLeague representatives held discussions with leaders from Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The officials were exposed to daily life in Israel, toured Tel Aviv Port, and watched basketball games. Mekel stated that the visit demonstrated to the league that conditions in Israel are suitable for seriously considering the resumption of games.
Mekel conveyed confidence in the EuroLeague CEO, Paulius Motiejunas, to advance the matter, drawing a parallel to security consultations held before games were allowed in Dubai. He hopes a similar process will result in a positive decision for Israel.
Beyond hosting games, Hapoel Jerusalem is pursuing a permanent EuroLeague license under a franchise model. Mekel indicated that the potential expansion of the league is supported by team owners, and Hapoel Jerusalem sees itself as a strong candidate for future inclusion. The club believes a decision could come in the coming months, emphasizing that securing a permanent license depends on financial stability, management consistency, and long-term partnerships, in addition to on-court performance.
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