Euroleague Basketball and the VTB League have agreed in principal to integrate the United League into the Euroleague structure.
The agreement was reached in principle by Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu and United League President Sergey Ivanov at a press conference during the Eurocup Final Four in Khimki.
“I am very delighted to announce that the VTB United League will be in the Euroleague country ranking,” Mr. Ivanov said. “The main idea is that the results of the VTB League will give permission for the clubs to go to the Euroleague and the Eurocup.”
The format for future seasons will be discussed at the VTB League board meeting, which is scheduled to take place during the Euroleague Final Four in Istanbul.
During the meeting in Russia, Euroleague Basketball and the United League agreed the following principles:
. Maintain the same number of places in the Euroleague and Eurocup competitions for each country.
. Integrate the United League into the Euroleague structure.
. Maintain space in the clubs competitions calendar so that each United League participant can also play in their national league.
Both parties will continue to work together to elaborate the final proposal that will be presented to the Euroleague Basketball general assembly and United League board for approval at the end of this season.
In accordance with Euroleague Basketball policy, the agreement will be presented to the relevant stakeholders in the European basketball community, which includes ULEB and FIBA Europe.
“I am glad to say we have completed an agreement today about principles in order to integrate the VTB United League into the Euroleague Basketball structure. It’s a fact now, aand I am confident that from now until the end of the season, we will close the details that need to be fixed,” Mr. Bertomeu said.
