The FIBA Basketball Champions League will officially be launched in Paris on March 20-21 with progress being made to ensure its start date which is targeted for next season.
One of the working groups of the new competition focused on the competition aspect of the league as they discussed in greater detail the allotment of spots to domestic leagues and confirmed that qualification to the league would be based on sporting merit. A draft calendar for the inaugural season (2016-17) was also drawn up.
The Basketball Champions League will consist of 32 teams divided into four groups of eight teams each. While the best 16 will advance to the final stages, the remaining 16 will then proceed to compete in a second tier competition.
The second working group focused on governance, taking further steps in the setting up of the company and discussed the statutes as well as the organisation of this 50-50 joint venture between FIBA and its leagues.
The working groups will meet again on Monday 8 February in Munich where the competition will be presented to the clubs.
So far, Italy, France and Turkey have expressed an interest to participate with EA7 Milano, Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes being exempt from the rule being contracted Euroleague sides.
