The Euroleague lives its most decisive hours. What was supposed to be a routine two-day meeting in Barcelona It has become a survival maneuver. The competition seeks to regain control of the story in the face of pressure from the clubs and the long shadow of the NBAand there is already a designated victim: Paulius Motiejuna.
According to information already circulating in media throughout Europe, the Lithuanian CEO’s term has an expiration date: July. Despite having a four-year contract, the Board of Directors (driven by a special committee formed by CSKA, Ephesus, Bayern, Baskonia y Olympiakos) seeks an immediate impact.
Why now? The Euroleague he tries to put out several fires at once in a desperate attempt to regroup.
The Real Madrid factor: The relationship with the white club and Fenerbahçe is broken. Motiejunas’ departure is interpreted as an essential “peace offering” so that Madrid does not blow up the negotiating table.
Diplomatic failure: Talks with the NBA and FIBA have not advanced, leaving the European competition in no man’s land.
Equipment leak: While Fenerbahçe seems tied for 10 years, Asvel Villeurbanne is preparing his official departure.
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The name of the change: Chus Bueno? With Motiejunas on the exit ramp, the urgency to find a conciliatory profile with global connections is maximum. A powerful candidate is already resounding strongly in the hallways: Chus Bueno. The fact that he was vice president of the NBA in Europe, Africa and the Middle East would be the hidden card to definitively professionalize the structure. Who knows if also to renegotiate in the future with the NBA a joint project. As MD has learned, Bueno He is one of the two CEO options that the Euroleague was handling this Tuesday in a final decision on the election that is expected for this Wednesday.
Radical change in format: To save time, the Euroleague is considering changing the rules of the game to survive: dividing the league into two conferences and drastically reducing the match schedule.
With these movements, from the Euroleague it is hoped that the project NBA Europe It may be delayed to gain time for maneuvers but sources consulted by MD, close to the NBA-FIBA project, assure that the date of autumn 2027 as the start of the competition remains firm.
Barcelona will decide in these 48 hours if the Euroleague completely reinvents itself or if it is simply buying time for the inevitable.
