Hapoel Tel Aviv Set for Permanent EuroLeague License Amid Expansion Plans
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Hapoel Tel Aviv is reportedly set to receive a permanent EuroLeague license as part of the competition's expansion, according to Italian media. The club, owned by Ofer Yanai, is among six new teams expected to gain guaranteed spots starting in the 2027-28 season. This move follows months of application and selection processes. The EuroLeague plans to expand from 20 to 24 teams, with further growth anticipated, and the new licenses will require significant financial investment.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv is expected to receive a permanent EuroLeague license as part of expansion plans.
- The club is among six new teams slated for guaranteed spots starting in the 2027-28 season.
- The EuroLeague plans to expand from 20 to 24 teams, with further growth anticipated.
- New clubs entering the league will reportedly pay between 50 and 90 million euros.
- Current EuroLeague shareholders will receive permanent licenses without additional fees.
Hapoel Tel Aviv is reportedly on the verge of securing a permanent license in the EuroLeague, according to Italian sports publication "Gazzetta dello Sport." The club, owned by Ofer Yanai, is among six new teams expected to receive guaranteed spots as part of planned structural changes to the European basketball competition. Other clubs slated for permanent berths include Valencia, Paris Basketball, Dubai, Maximа Roma, and PAOK Thessaloniki. The final decision is anticipated to be presented to the EuroLeague board for approval by the end of November.
This development marks a significant milestone for Hapoel Tel Aviv, which has been actively pursuing a permanent license for months. The club submitted its application in April and was reportedly shortlisted among 11 candidates vying for eight available spots in late August. Following earlier reports in October that identified Valencia, Paris, Dubai, and PAOK as the first four selected, Hapoel was awaiting the next round of decisions.
In addition to the six permanent licenses, four other teams, Partizan Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, Virtus Bologna, and Napoli, are expected to receive three-year invitations. The latter two Italian clubs will also have priority for future permanent licenses during the next expansion phase planned for 2030. Two additional spots will be reserved for teams qualifying through the EuroCup.
The EuroLeague's expansion is slated to commence with the 2027-28 season, increasing its number of teams from 20 to 24, with a further expansion to 28 teams planned from 2030. The 12 current shareholders of the league will receive permanent licenses without additional fees, replacing their existing ten-year agreements. This list includes Maccabi Tel Aviv, along with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Baskonia, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Fenerbahce, Anadolu Efes, Bayern Munich, ASVEL, Zalgiris Kaunas, and Olimpia Milano. CSKA Moscow is also on the list but is currently suspended.
The entry of new clubs is expected to involve a payment of 50 to 90 million euros per club. The overall financial maneuver is projected to generate approximately 400 million euros for the 13 current shareholders, amounting to about 30 million euros each.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
