Assembly at Lake Como Confronts NBA Terms
Thirteen A-licence clubs, who act as the owners and partners of the EuroLeague, gathered in Italy to map out the competition’s short- and medium-term future. High on the agenda was an evaluation of an official proposal submitted by the NBA regarding potential integration or restructuring. According to reporting from Basketnews, the thirteen club owners reviewed the terms and opted not to advance the proposal in its current form.
Hardline Opposition Led by Barcelona and Olympiacos
While the proposal drew starkly different reactions across the room, a hardline faction led by FC Barcelona, Olympiacos, and Armani Milan strongly resisted continued talks on the existing basis. Greek outlet SDNA reported that Barcelona explicitly labeled the NBA’s offer a joke. Joan Laporta, Xavier O’Callaghan, and Sisco Pujol represented the Catalan club at the summit. Meanwhile, current EuroLeague champions Olympiacos pushed hardest for an immediate halt to negotiations, reportedly calling for a vote to cut off discussions entirely. That motion failed, leaving room for further administrative maneuvering.
Division Among the Thirteen Shareholder Clubs
The assembly exposed a clear split among the competition’s stakeholders. Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, Fenerbahçe, and Bayern Munich adopted a more conciliatory stance, supporting ongoing dialogue in hopes that the North American league would sweeten its terms. Real Madrid specifically requested a 30-day window to allow the NBA an opportunity to revise its offer. Other unnamed owners consulted by Basketnews went even further in their criticism, describing the initial framework as “inaceptable” (unacceptable) and “colonialista” (colonialist).
EuroLeague Prioritizes Franchise Expansion over NBA Deadline
The assembly coincided with a reported Tuesday, October 6 deadline set by the NBA for an official response, a date initially flagged by La Gazzetta dello Sport. Despite the tight turnaround, the assembled EuroLeague stakeholders chose to prioritize their own internal roadmap. Rather than capitulating to outside overtures, the assembly resolved to press ahead with the competition’s existing expansion strategy, which aims to convert participating clubs into permanent franchises.
