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| Full transcript: Press conference with Euroleague Basketball President, Dejan Bodiroga and CEO, Chus Bueno |
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Dejan Bodiroga, Euroleague Basketball President
"Kalispera. Good evening to everyone. Before I give the floor to Chus, I would like first of all to thank the Greek government, the city of Athens, and the local organizing committee for their huge support, commitment, and collaboration that made this event possible. As you know, Athens is, during these days, the epicenter of European basketball. Personally, I spent an important part of my professional career here, and every time I am back in Athens, I really feel at home. I think in every corner of this historical city you can see how passionate people are and how much they love basketball. After the semifinal games we had yesterday, tomorrow we will have another celebration, a festival of basketball, and I wish that the best team wins the EuroLeague trophy tomorrow.”
Chus Bueno, Euroleague Basketball CEO
"Thank you, President. Good evening, everyone. Again, I want to reiterate that we are very happy to be here in Greece, a lovely country, a lovely basketball country, and very welcoming. We want to thank the region of Attica and the city of Athens for hosting us at this fantastic Final Four. I also don't want to miss the opportunity to thank the Panathinaikos organization, especially Mr. Giannakopoulos, and the arena operator, White Veil, for helping us deliver what we want to be the best Final Four ever.
That said, I know you are all aware that we had some issues yesterday with ticketing, and I don't want to avoid giving you an update. We had some issues with the ticketing platform, it was not issuing tickets as fast as we needed, which created some frustration and confusion for some fans. This has been fixed; the platform is working well and it is not going to happen again. In terms of people who could not access the building, the only group impacted was 187 people, who we took care of. We allowed them through the first ring, checked the list, and once confirmed, they went through security. No one without a ticket was inside the venue. I know there are a lot of rumors on social media, we have spoken with security and with the police, and no one without a ticket was inside the venue. These 187 people, once we confirmed they were on the list, were allowed in. In any case, we want to apologize to the fans, especially the Fenerbahce fans. We are sorry for what happened. We managed to get them in before the game started so they did not miss it, but I did not like what happened. Fenerbahce fans are our fans, EuroLeague fans, and we share the frustration they felt.
That said, I would also say that we are working with the police, the government, and White Veil to ensure the best access experience tomorrow. We are going to have a more control, and we are increasing security slightly because it is very exciting for a lot of Greek fans to have a final in their own city, but that is normal procedure. We want tomorrow to be a celebration of basketball. We want everyone with tickets to enjoy the game in their seats and have a very exciting final between Olympiacos and Real Madrid.
Beyond yesterday's issues, we are also here to talk about how healthy the EuroLeague is today. During the regular season, we had 122 million spectators watching games live. We have 1.5 billion views on social media, up 80%from the previous year , and live-plus-delayed viewership was up 82% compared with the previous year. The growth is there. The new way we are structuring things will allow us to keep growing through long-term contracts. As you know, some clubs are currently pending on signing renewals. We are moving to a franchise model next year and will incorporate some teams as expansion franchises in the following years. We have 17 offers to become an expansion franchise on top of the existing shareholders, and a lot of clubs are also interested in joining the EuroCup. We have created a vision and a project that everybody is engaged with. We also have investors willing to put money in, but we prefer to wait a little because we need to grow first before exploring a third-party investment. We feel we are in a very healthy, very good place with very good plans, and I am happy to answer any questions on whatever you would like. Thank you."
About the Fenerbahce ticketing issues:
Bodiroga: " As Chus explained, we were in contact before the game. A situation arose from a problem with our ticketing platform, and our team worked to resolve it. Before the game, I was in contact with them and we tried to get all Fenerbahce fans inside the arena. At the end, we did it. We apologized to the Fenerbahce fans and the club. We solved it, they got in, but not in the way we would have wanted. Our apologies to the club and to the fans."
Bueno: "I want to make it clear: everyone got in, and there was no fan who was not allowed to see the game."
About permanent licenses for Crvena Zvezda and Partizan:
Bueno: "Both clubs have expressed their interest in becoming a franchise. We have received a letter of interest from both of them. We do not yet know how quickly we are going to expand, it could be two more franchises next year, or in two years, or in three. We want to increase the number. We think the ideal number will be around 18 or 19 if we expand to 24 teams, because the idea is to go from 20 to 22 through conferences and then to 24. That will allow us to have more franchises while still maintaining some access to the league through the EuroCup. We would also like to have some access through domestic competitions, as we will have six spots available.
As you know, Partizan and Red Star have been with us since almost the very beginning. They have shown their commitment to this league and what they bring to the table, the passion, the fans, the packed arenas. We would love to have them, and they will have to go through the process. There are fees involved, but clubs that have helped us build this league will receive discounts compared to what someone coming in fresh would receive. To put it in perspective: the investment bank JB Capital assessed the valuation of this league today at 1.4 billion euros. The shares that EC holders have are worth 83 million euros. So if you want to become a franchisee with the standard number of shares, the normal figure would be around 80 million. But for those who have been with us, it will be significantly less than that."
About scheduling EuroLeague games in better time slots:
Bueno: "We give flexibility to teams. There are clubs that reach out during the season and playoffs to request earlier or later slots, but they do not make the final decision. Sometimes it is a media issue, programming and counter-programming, what is on other channels at the same time. We take everything into account: what is best for the teams, the arena scheduling. We are always open and flexible to hearing from clubs what works best for them. But there are a lot of parties and implications involved, and we try to make the best decision for all. There is no fixed system; it varies."
About Gerry Cardinale's comments on EuroLeague sustainability and a possible NBA Europe-AC Milan partnership:
Bueno: "I do not know Gerry personally, but I think the comment was a bit disrespectful and a bit arrogant. Disrespectful because he is saying the business is not sustainable, and that he, as a money player, is going to fix it, without thinking about Olimpia Milano and its almost 90-plus years of history, the legacy of Antonello Riva, [Dan] Peterson, Mike D'Antoni, [Dino] Meneghin, you name it. The Armani family has built a community, a culture, a tradition, an identity, and I think we have to respect that. I am sure the basketball fans in Milan will respect that.
When I say arrogant, Serie A is losing more than 300 million euros a year, maybe four billion in 10 years. He knows how difficult it is to have your own arena; he has been at San Siro for 100 years and is one of the few clubs that does not own it. And yet he says he is going to fix everything. For me, it was an unfortunate comment. He is one individual. I do not think the NBA thinks this way. We are talking about how we can create the best partnership or merger, whatever you want to call it, and they understand and respect the basketball community. I think it was just an unfortunate comment."
About the timeline for expansion to 24 teams and a possible conference format:
Bueno: "I think it is too soon to know. When we did our internal assessment, we were thinking about whether to divide by geography or by a pure pool system. We want to talk to the teams about what is most convenient for them as well, I want to hear what the best format would be. But it is still too early to have one clear answer. We are exploring different options with the competitiondepartment, and there are different ways to do this that also have implications for media, because revaluing rights matters too. You do not want to put certain teams on one side without considering what that means. Everybody loves Barcelona, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, so we have to take care of a lot of things. I think it is premature to make a statement in one direction or another."
About games returning to Israel if the political situation stabilizes:
Bueno: "It does not depend entirely on us. We follow government recommendations, security guidance, and the Ministry of Defense. We would like to have a normal league. I do not think anyone is happy with the situation. What I can say is: hopefully, if the war ends soon, and the sooner the better, we will come back. But the safety of players and fans has to come first.
In the meantime, for cases where clubs still have to play some games outside their country, we are incorporating into our bylaw, or will suggest to the Board, that neutral venues need to meet a higher standard. A small venue that was not designed for 15,000 people, with limited access, locker rooms, and physiotherapy areas. We want state-of-the-art facilities no matter where teams play. We have learned from this situation and want to do better going forward."
About whether a full NBA-EuroLeague merger is on the table:
Bueno: "I would say everything is on the table. I think we both agree on the approach: as Adam said, as Mark said, and as George and I have said, fragmentation dilutes value and creates friction, and that is bad for the business. Fragmentation is not institutional fragmentation; it is fragmentation with media and fans, when fans have to choose between leagues, that does not help. We are in a moment where the basketball opportunity is there. We see it here. The momentum on the court is amazing, and off the court we want to maximize that opportunity. Whether it is a partnership, a JV, a merger, whatever you want to call it, it has to make sense for all parties, and that is what we are openly discussing with the NBA.
It is too premature to say this is the deal we are going to do. But we have good, trustworthy relationships, and we can openly say what we do not like, what we do like, and how we fix things. If we really want to do this, we should be able to figure it out. And if for whatever reason it does not come together, the EuroLeague has a strong plan. We have a vision, a project, a revenue strategy, a rights and marketing strategy, we have all of that. The clubs unanimously approved the plan and we move forward. But if the NBA wants to come to the table and explore something together, we should always be open, we would maximize the opportunity together. And by the way, the board agrees with this approach."
About the 2027 Final Four location:
Bueno: "As you may know, we have an existing agreement with Abu Dhabi for next year. Of course, given the situation in the Middle East, until it is resolved we are not going to make it official. If it gets resolved and everything is safe, same as with Israel, we have a contract and we would be happy to return. But we have to be sure we are in a good position and are not exposing fans to risk. We have given ourselves some time to decide, and we are exploring other options, a plan B, with a couple of conversations ongoing. But I think we still need to wait a little longer and see what happens. At some point, maybe in a couple of months, we will really need to sit down and decide, because there is a lot of planning involved."
On follow-up: "It is not a confirmed plan B, just conversations. There is nothing to announce."
About PAOK and Aris potentially joining the EuroLeague directly:
Bueno: "There are a lot of teams interested in joining the EuroLeague, which shows how healthy it is. We have had conversations with both clubs. I think of it in terms of now, next, and later, maybe it is not now, but it could be next. When they are ready, we are happy to explore it and have that conversation. Both clubs have a lot of ambition and strong ownership groups, and we like them. But it is a matter of when they are ready, because they still have some steps to take before reaching the level of this league, it is very competitive, with a lot of investment and high demands both on and off the court."
About clubs regularly not complying with EuroLeague media obligations (pre-game availability, injury lists):
Bueno: "I love the constructive spirit and the thinking about how we can do things better. I have been in basketball for 30 years, but I am the new guy at EuroLeague, three months into the job. We are talking internally about how we can revisit things in our bylaws to make the product better. Any ideas coming from TV or journalism, please share them with Alex (referring to Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Euroleague Basketball Marketing and Communication Chief Officer), because we want to learn from you as well. Constructive feedback is always welcome. We will not just say 'you are right' and leave it there. We are in a moment of restructuring, new models, how we want to work in the future, and we are revisiting almost everything. Please send any suggestions to Alex and we will discuss them."
About the Final Four format versus a playoff series, and the situation with Russian clubs:
Bodiroga: "I prefer the Final Four. Our Regular Season is already very competitive – almost every game matters like a playoff game from start to finish. The Final Four is a confirmation of what a team has done over the course of an entire season, the continuity and the quality they have shown throughout the year. In the end, I think the best team always wins. Summarizing , I prefer the Final Four."
Bueno: "I prefer the Final Four too. I think it is a celebration of basketball and brings everyone together from different places. I love this event. It is super passionate, and I am passionate about it too. Regarding Russia, we have to follow government regulations. The governments have sanctioned Russia and we follow this closely with FIBA, speaking with them every month. Until the suspension is lifted, we cannot consider returning to Russia."
About Real Madrid being the only shareholder yet to commit to the new 10-year agreement:
Bueno: "We are in constant communication with Real Madrid, we were speaking even yesterday before the game. We are optimistic they will end up signing, but you will have to ask them directly. If you ask me, I think they will end up signing. They are one of the founders of the EuroLeague. They have created enormous value, they have a lot of investment here, they have shares, they have a voice in key Board decisions. There are revenue streams available to them as members that they would not have otherwise. I think that is what matters – being pragmatic – but also, I genuinely believe this is the best place for them right now."
About reducing the number of games, following player and coach concerns:
Bueno: "We have been discussing internally whether to change the competition model, and we brought two options to the board, two conferences with 20 or 22 teams. We had discussions with media partners about the business impact, proper assessments were done on the impact for clubs, and we also considered what the players' association, coaches, and everyone else was saying.
The biggest problem with moving to 22 teams, and many teams were open to it, was the level of uncertainty this year specifically. Two months ago, three teams had not signed their contracts. Two teams are not playing in the league due to Russia´s – Ukraine conflict. Three teams are playing outside their home countries because of the war. And one team, Monaco, has had financial difficulties. Nine teams in uncertain positions does not make you feel ready to add more the following year. You need to guarantee the number you have today is solid before expanding. On top of that, the business impact of going to 20 teams was too significant, a tremendous drop in the number of games, with TV partners complaining heavily. Going to 22 was more manageable. So we think the conversation about 22 will happen relatively soon, once the uncertainty disappears and we are in a better position to move. For now, we thought it more prudent to hold."
About the current obstacles to an NBA-EuroLeague agreement:
Bueno: "These things take time. It is not just about the competition format or which teams are in, there are also questions about IP, about production, about existing partner deals, about many things. Right now we are trying to set the table: what is important for you, what is important for me, where are the red lines. Clearly the NBA wants to operate this league because they believe they can bring value and commercial opportunities, and we are not saying no to that, we are open to it. But there are a lot of conversations still to have: the number of teams, the name, is it called NBA EuroLeague, NBA in Europe, something else? We do not know yet. We are putting together a list of topics and identifying any red lines. From what I am hearing, there are a lot of interesting differences but no red lines, we are just exploring, which is positive. We are not at the stage of discussing specific numbers or specific clubs. Maybe in the next week or the next month we can start landing on things, and when there is something concrete, we will communicate it."
About improving officiating and expanding fan engagement through fantasy:
Bueno: "As a former small player, I can see the difference between today and 20 years ago, how fast and athletic the players are. It is much more difficult to be a referee today than it was ten years ago. We are trying to understand how we can help them do their job better. Personally, when I watch a replay review, it takes a long time and I feel the game loses momentum. One thing we could look at is a limit on reviews. But we also want the game to be fair, and sometimes you need time to see what happened. We are talking with the referees and with Dani (referring to Dani Hierrezuelo, Euroleague Basketball Officiating Senior Director) about how they can do their job better."
Bodiroga: "I agree. We can always improve, but in our competition and across Europe, I think we have the best referees. Compared to other competitions, our officiating is, by far, the best. And if we are talking about how the games and the EuroLeague have improved, it is because of the clubs, the players, the coaches, and the fans, but officiating is also a part of what makes this league strong."
On fantasy and direct-to-consumer engagement:
Bueno: "One of the biggest things we want to do, and we are going to make a substantial investment here, is building a much better direct-to-consumer platform. We have strong media deals and B2B sponsorship, but we think we can do much better in direct-to-consumer. We do not monetize fans, engage with them, or create experiences and relationships the way we could. Right now we have our website, app, and fantasy product all in separate places. We are going to bring everything together into one strong backend platform, our platform, our code, and from there, with the full funnel in one place, we will start building products and services to interact directly with fans. Whether that is VOD, fantasy gaming, ticketing, or other products, we will have more control. We will build it for EuroLeague and EuroCup first, and then if any other league or partner wants to use those products and services, we are happy to share. But we need to build this, we do not have a strong direct relationship with our customers today."
About PAOK, Aris, Bourg, Monaco, and French clubs' futures:
Bueno: "On PAOK and Aris, yes, we are in talks with them. There are some clubs we want to support and develop so they can reach the top level. We are discussing how to do that, perhaps five years in the EuroCup, and if in three years they are ready, they move up to the EuroLeague. But only when they are ready, not before. They will go through a process, and if they want to become a franchise, there is a path for that. If not, they will always have access through the EuroCup.
Regarding French clubs: ASVEL have signed their extension, and we are very happy about that. With Paris, we are discussing different possibilities, including the franchise expansion. Paris is a great club and a great organization, what they have done in the city is remarkable. They have built a community, a tradition, a culture, and we are happy to explore a long-term partnership with them.
Regarding Monaco: they know, because we speak with them on a weekly basis, that they need to address their financial situation first, their debts, including debts to the EuroLeague, and secure new ownership that we can feel comfortable with. If they stabilize financially and bring in the right ownership, Monaco has proven its value in this league and we would love to have them back. In what format, I am not sure yet.
As for Bourg, we were there for the [BKT EuroCup] Finals and had a great time. Fantastic atmosphere, fantastic crowd, very good organization, great entertainment and game operations. They have some challenges, including the arena situation, but if for whatever reason they do not end up in the EuroLeague, they will absolutely be a club we want to help and explore a long-term EuroCup partnership with."
About how the EuroLeague handles persistent fan misconduct at Partizan and Crvena zvezda:
Bueno: "I was actually with the disciplinary team this morning trying to understand the difficulties they face in doing their work. There are things that impact the game itself, affecting game integrity or stopping the game, where we are going to sanction harder, because we have to protect the flow of the game and everyone involved. On other things that might be bad habits, as I call them, behavior that does not directly affect the game but is not acceptable in an arena, we want to work more closely with the clubs to eliminate them. If it happens once, the sanction will be standard. Twice, a bit more. But if it keeps happening, sanctions are going to be very high, because we need to motivate people to stop doing things they should not be doing."
About Hapoel Tel Aviv's contract extension and Hapoel Jerusalem's EuroCup ambitions:
Bueno: "You already know the answer, they both want to play in the EuroLeague. One is already there and will continue in the EuroLeague next year. Both have aspirations to be in the EuroLeague, and both have been requesting information about becoming a franchise. To give you context on the process: right now we are having exploratory conversations, but the official process starts on July 1. We can share and gather information before then, but the real conversations begin July 1. The idea is to work through deals during the first half of next season and then bring decisions to the board, for these reasons, with this project, we consider this a strong candidate. The board will say yes or no. We want to prepare everything in the first six months of the competition and begin making decisions in the second six months."
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