Photo by David Eluwole

Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos spoke Friday in Badalona about the future of European basketball and the league’s potential role in a new structure involving the NBA and FIBA.

Speaking ahead of the championship game between AEK Athens and Rytas Vilnius, Comninos explained that discussions over the years have pointed toward a future system featuring an NBA-operated top-tier competition in partnership with FIBA, with the Basketball Champions League serving as the second level.

“Over the course of these years, a lot of discussions have been held. And what is public knowledge is that a structure down the road would see a top-tier competition operated by the NBA, in a partnership with FIBA,” Comninos said. “And right below, in a second tier, would be the Basketball Champions League.”

Comninos stressed that qualification into the highest level would remain based on sporting merit rather than permanent membership.

“The open pathway is twofold,” he said. “One is via the Basketball Champions League, and the other is via a Qualification Tournament at the end of the season.”

He also emphasized that protecting domestic leagues and national team basketball remains a core priority for the BCL.

“It’s no surprise when I say, protect the domestic leagues, protect the national teams, play with a unified FIBA set of rules, having access to the competition,” Comninos stated.

The BCL executive added that European competitions should support domestic basketball rather than compete against it.

“I’m also a firm believer that European competitions should not antagonize domestic leagues,” Comninos said. “We should be working hand-in-hand.”

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