For more than two decades, Jordi Bertomeu directed the destinies of the competition baloncesto most important in Europe and one of the most economically attractive sports tournaments in the world. Three years after he left the position of CEO of the EuroleagueBertomeu has a project in hand to return in style to his great passion: the orange ball.
The executive, globally recognized and one of the most influential in basketball, has embarked on an adventure that combines sport at the highest level with digitalization, economic sustainability and the search for talent.
It is a basketball club network governed by a model of multiple propertywith a view to acquiring stakes in currently undervalued entities.
The network would generate synergies and ability to save with shared structures and resourcesin a completely digital environment, which will raise the potential of the clubs included in the project.
Darío Brizuela in the Barça basketball-Virtus Bologna of the Euroleague
FCB
Bertomeu, who led the Euroleague from its creation in 2000 until 2022, has the French entrepreneur as an ally for this project. Demis Torreswho took the first steps to carry out an idea that would combine basketball with the digital environment that he knows perfectly well thanks to his professional experience.
To this end, it created the platform a few months ago Rideoutwith the idea of launching a multi-club basketball platform that uses technology and training as levers to transform this sport.
Mascoteros, ManoMano, Rakuten…
In his role as an entrepreneur, Torres launched about ten years ago Petsbased in Barcelona and focused on providing services to pet owners through digital channels. Thanks to the application, the user could contact numerous establishments specializing in pets, as well as access veterinary services.
In addition, he has notable experience in the field of digital commerce thanks to his performance in executive roles in the Japanese Rakutenwhose Spanish subsidiary is also based in Barcelona, and the French Mano Manospecialized in the world of DIY.
In recent years, Bertomeu has registered the company Rideout Investments, based in Sant Just Desvern, near Barcelona. In it, he appears as an administrator along with Torres.
Al mismo tiempo, el antiguo hombre fuerte de la Euroliga ha dado un paso lateral en sociedades a través de las que gestiona negocios personales. La principal es Inversiones Monterols, dedicada a la promoción inmobiliaria, de la que su hermana María Carmen ha tomado las riendas.
El momento elegido por Bertomeu para poner los primeros cimientos de Rideout no es casual. La Euroliga, un sistema que conoce a la perfección, se encuentra desde hace años en una situación de crisis, principalmente económica, que fue uno de los detonantes de su salida.
El papel de Dubai
El acuerdo alcanzado con Dubai para garantizarse su apoyo durante las próximas temporadas (ya hay un equipo del emirato disputando la competición y la ‘final four’ se disputará en este territorio) no ha terminado de despejar las dudas en la aristocracia del baloncesto europeo. El modelo adolece de rigideces que le hace poco dinámico y que le ha hecho perder atractivo con vistas a captar recursos económicos.
Pero además, esa situación de la Euroliga no ha pasado desapercibida para la prestigiosa NBA. El baloncesto profesional norteamericano lleva años en busca de una fórmula que le permita extenderse por Europa.
Mario Hezonja penetra a canasta en el Panathinaikos-Real Madrid de Euroliga
EFE
Tras evaluar alternativas, en la actualidad trabaja en un modelo consistente en el establecimiento de una sucursal europea, como un primer paso para que algunos de los clubes pudieran dar el salto a la NBA.
En este contexto, los responsables de la mejor competición mundial de baloncesto están analizando el interés de los grandes clubes europeos por unirse a este proyecto. Entre ellos, figuran tanto el FC Barcelona como el Real Madrid.
Bertomeu ha aprovechado la situación para acelerar los movimientos en busca de un nuevo negocio relacionado con su gran pasión.
