In terms of sport, the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim were relegated from the Easycredit Basketball Bundesliga in seventeenth place in the table after six years. But now it’s clear: you can buy a wildcard for 700,000 euros – and stay in!
The reason: Only a potential newcomer from the second league (ProA) will get the license for the elite class! This is clear after the league licensing committee has examined the documents. 18 first and 6 second division teams submitted their applications.
The two ProA finalists have the sporting right to promotion. The play-off semi-finals are only just beginning there, but it is already clear that only one finalist can go up – namely the winner of the series between the Frankfurt Skyliners and the Gladiators Trier (they have to improve their financial plan by May 31st).
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The other semi-final will be contested by Phoenix Hagen (had not applied for a license) and the Karlsruhe Lions. However, their license application for the BBL was incomplete and was therefore rejected!
Basketball surprise: Will relegated Crailsheim stay in?
“We submitted our license application on time in April and, with the Europahalle as our upcoming home venue, we meet one of the most important criteria for granting the license,” said Karlsruhe’s commercial director Paul Alshut in a press statement. “However, the league is pursuing an extremely stringent course when it comes to the financial resources of the candidates. We have not yet fully established the necessary structures for the 1st league in order to be able to meet the required minimum budget of 3.5 million euros for participation in the first division game operations.”
This means: Karlsruhe doesn’t have enough money to move up.
This in turn could become a lifeline for the Merlins. After Dyn’s relegation, their sporting director Ingo Enskat made it clear that the club was at least thinking about it: “We know who will play against whom in the second division play-offs, when and where, and what opportunities arise from this.”
Göttingen outThis video must be seen by every Hamburg fan
Source: DYN MEDIA 15.05.2024
The problem, however, is that the wildcard money is then missing from the gaming budget. The last three clubs to buy a place were caught in the following season – even Crailsheim itself (2016). Gießen 46ers (2022) and the Frankfurt Skyliners (2023) were also relegated a year after they had bought relegation…
Top performer Stuckey extended until 2026
Another sign that could nevertheless indicate that the Crailsheimers will remain in the BBL: On Tuesday, the Hohenlohe team extended the contract with identifying figure Maurice “Mo” Stuckey (33/at the club since 2019) until 2026.
The sniper in the press release: “I’ve been here for five years and I just feel very comfortable. I’m close to my family, and that also plays a big role for me. A lot of things just fit together very well and I’m looking forward to our journey together over the next two years.”
Further in the BBL…?
2024-05-15 14:38:40
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