Overview
- EuroLeague shareholder clubs, which met in Lake Como on Tuesday, rejected the NBA’s current collaboration proposal while saying they remain open to further discussions.
- The clubs did not ratify a final 10-year strategic plan at the meeting and will continue evaluating 14 bids for up to eight long-term franchise licences to expand the competition from 20 to 24 teams.
- Under the proposed plan the 13 permanent shareholder clubs would become commercial franchises and the league projects an aggregate competition-and-club value of €4.3 billion by 2027 with year-on-year revenue growth rising to about 15%.
- The NBA’s separate NBA Europe project is preparing for a 2027 start and both organisations have said they will press ahead with their own plans if no joint deal is agreed, raising the prospect of competing competitions.
- The outcome leaves immediate questions for club finances, media rights and sponsorship because several top clubs have run losses in recent seasons and may find outside investment from either model attractive or necessary.