PRESS RELEASE |

Euroleague Basketball, referees reach four-year agreement

Euroleague Basketball and the Union of Euroleague Basketball Officials (UEBO) have reached a history-making framework agreement, the first of its kind in European team sports between an organization and its referees.

The framework agreement covers the next four seasons, during which time the referees collective will provide independent services to the clubs to officiate all Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup games.

Among other things, the agreement covers game fees for the referees and guarantees all referees a minimum annual amount from their game fees. It also provides an insurance policy for the referees and support for them when they stop officiating in international club competitions governed by Euroleague Basketball.

The referees are bound by the agreement to comply with the Euroleague Basketball Officials Regulations, In-Arena Code of Conduct and disciplinary code.

As has always been the case until now, the referees will be available to officiate in other basketball competitions.

"This first-of-its-kind agreement with our referees is another step toward guaranteeing fans that the quality of games in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup will remain strong going forward," Eduard J. Scott, Euroleague Basketball’s Chief Operations Officer said. Referees, together with players and coaches, play a vital role in the growth of club basketball at the highest level in Europe. All our stakeholders can be assured that a strong level of professionalism will continue to characterize the officiating in the EuroLeague and EuroCup competitions."

The agreement was signed on Wednesday by UEBO president Sasa Pukl at Euroleague Basketball headquarters in Barcelona.

"The signing of this agreement today is surely a historical moment for referees," Pukl said. "Such an agreement is a first in European and international basketball competitions. It is a historical moment, first of all, for all 71 Euroleague Basketball referees who will benefit from this agreement, but also for future generations of EB referees. All 71 of us are looking forward to an even closer cooperation with players, coaches and everybody else in our competitions."

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD PICTURES FREE OF RIGHTS FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY HERE

Euroleague Basketball (EB) is a global leader in the sports and entertainment business, devoted to running the top European competitions of professional basketball clubs under a unique and innovative organizational model. Owned and administered by some of the most successful and historic clubs in the world, EB manages and organizes the continent’s two premier men’s basketball competitions, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup, as well as the sport’s premier under-18 showcase, the EB Adidas Next Generation Tournament.

The EB competitions bring the elite of European basketball to all five continents and to the entire sports community through the OTT platform EuroLeague TV. EB also organizes a series of community and educational programs. Its ground-breaking corporate social responsibility program One Team features 40 clubs that have already made a difference in the lives of over 16,000 participants. Its Sports Business MBA trains future professionals in sports management.

Media communication