EuroLeague Basketball leaders and shareholder clubs have described their recent gathering in Lake Como, Italy, as a historic milestone for the competition, emphasizing unity and collective decision-making as the league prepares for expansion and a potential shift to a franchise-based model.
The two-day meeting brought together EuroLeague Commercial Assets (ECA) shareholder clubs, club owners and executives, and league leadership in the Villa d’Este area of Cernobbio. The gathering came as European basketball faces important strategic decisions, including expansion, investment opportunities and discussions about potential NBA involvement.
“This is one of the most important meetings in the history of the EuroLeague,” EuroLeague Basketball president Dejan Bodiroga said in the official recap video.
Olympiacos co-owner Giorgos Angelopoulos also described the gathering as a historic day and a milestone for European basketball. His brother and fellow co-owner, Panagiotis Angelopoulos, stressed the importance of remaining united and making decisions together in the collective interest of the clubs.
Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos emphasized growth through cooperation, arguing that organizations should exchange views, share information and learn from one another because they face a common future.
“We have built something over 26 years and we can grow it much more if we stay together,” Maccabi Tel Aviv chairman Shimon Mizrahi said.
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta echoed that message, pointing to the opportunity ahead and the need for unity. FC Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer outlined his ambition for the competition to become the main reference point whenever people discuss European basketball.
EuroLeague Basketball CEO Chus Bueno said the clubs had decided to pursue the next phase together, with the aim of strengthening the competition.
Zalgiris Kaunas owner Paulius Motiejunas described EuroLeague as the top of the European basketball ecosystem, while LDLC ASVEL owner and coach Tony Parker highlighted its distinctive identity alongside the NBA.
The meeting followed the unanimous approval of a 10-year business plan by all 13 shareholder clubs on October 6. The plan projects a combined value exceeding €13 billion for the league and its licensed clubs, alongside €3.4 billion in distributions to participating teams.
EuroLeague also intends to expand from 20 to 24 teams for the 2027-28 season and introduce two conferences. Its longer-term strategy includes a transition toward a franchise-based model, with 15 binding offers from prospective entrants reportedly worth a combined €1.2 billion.
These ambitions are unfolding as the NBA explores establishing its own competition in Europe, leaving the future relationship between the leagues uncertain.
