EuroLeague showcased how decisions shaping its future were made. The competition released a video summary Monday of the two-day summit that brought together the shareholder clubs of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) at Lake Como. The meeting approved the transition of current teams to a franchise model and the expansion of league spots.
The choice of location was no accident. According to CEO Chus Bueno, major decisions deserved a setting known for hosting historic events. The message repeated most throughout the video is one of solidarity among clubs: deciding as a bloc and growing together.
https://youtu.be/r44hUmIBUZY?si=M_UTtGXTm99vNdi1
"We're All in the Same Boat"
Leaders of the major clubs agree on this message. "EuroLeague has a strong identity," said Tony Parker, president of ASVEL. Giorgos Angelopoulos, of Olympiacos, spoke of "a true milestone for the future," and Dimitris Giannakopoulos, owner of Panathinaikos, insisted that the entire league grows together because all clubs are in the same boat. The owners also committed to sharing information and learning from one another.
The ambition is also global. Herbert Hainer, president of FC Bayern Munich, set the goal that when a basketball fan anywhere in the world thinks of basketball, they think first of EuroLeague.
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The summit led to the ECA meeting on October 6, where the 13 shareholder clubs approved the strategic agreement. Days later, EuroLeague presented its ten-year business plan, which projects distributing €3.4 billion among clubs and opening expansion windows in 2027 and 2031.