EuroLeague Expansion: Four Clubs Lead Race for Permanent Licenses
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Four clubs, Valencia, Dubai, Paris Basketball, and PAOK Thessaloniki, are leading the race for permanent licenses in the expanding EuroLeague, which plans to grow to 24 teams. The entry fee is expected to be around 50 million euros, with 15 clubs submitting offers totaling 1.2 billion euros. Israeli teams Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem are among the other contenders. The EuroLeague's expansion plans are also dependent on ongoing negotiations with the NBA regarding a potential joint competition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Valencia, Dubai, Paris Basketball, and PAOK Thessaloniki are leading candidates for permanent EuroLeague licenses.
- The EuroLeague plans to expand to 24 teams, offering eight permanent spots.
- The minimum entry fee for a permanent license is reportedly 50 million euros.
- Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem are among the other clubs vying for a spot.
- EuroLeague expansion is linked to ongoing negotiations with the NBA over a joint competition.
The EuroLeague is preparing for a significant expansion, with four clubs reportedly emerging as frontrunners to secure permanent licenses as part of the competition's restructuring. According to BasketNews, Valencia, Dubai, Paris Basketball, and PAOK Thessaloniki are considered the leading candidates in the initial phase of this process. The expansion is planned to occur in three stages, with the first potentially taking place in November or December 2026, followed by early 2027, and concluding by the summer of 2027.
Fifteen clubs have submitted offers to join the expanded league, with the entry fee estimated to start at 50 million euros, though final figures will be negotiated individually. These offers total approximately 1.2 billion euros, aligning with revenue projections for expansion phases planned for 2027 and 2031. The EuroLeague aims to grow to 24 teams, with eight permanent spots available, meaning 21 of the 24 teams would hold permanent licenses if all spots are filled.
Several other clubs remain in contention for these spots, including Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, Virtus Bologna, Partizan Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda, and London Lions, among others. The league is also considering a potential partnership with the NBA, though discussions are ongoing. The NBA reportedly opposes the EuroLeague's plan for 24 teams, preferring a smaller joint competition. The EuroLeague has rejected the NBA's initial proposal and is preparing a counter-offer, with significant updates expected in the coming weeks that will shape the future of European basketball and the expansion plans.
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