Some of the greatest players in recent European basketball history are stepping up to support #EUROLEAGUEUNITED, a global Euroleague Basketball campaign of encouragement in the face of the unprecedented situation caused by COVID-19.

EB ambassadors support #EUROLEAGUEUNITED against COVID-19

Some of the greatest players in recent European basketball history are stepping up to support #EUROLEAGUEUNITED, a global Euroleague Basketball campaign of encouragement in the face of the unprecedented situation caused by COVID-19.

Joe Arlauckas, Saras Jasikevicius, Theo Papaloukas, Dusko Savanovic, Ramunas Siskauskas and Mirsad Turkcan – all of whom function as Euroleague Basketball Ambassadors – have each recorded messages to double down on the need to adhere to all World Health Organization guidelines until the ongoing pandemic is defeated, as well to support the United Nations Development Programme's goal to encourage physical health and mental well-being around the globe.

The six ambassadors are reaching out from five different countries – Arlauckas in Spain, Jasikevicius and Siskauskas in Lithuania, Papaloukas in Greece, Savanovic in Serbia and Turkcan in Turkey – to show that the widespread threat posed by the pandemic must be battled broadly through behavioral changes designed to avoid infection and save lives.

Their efforts to bring added attention about the WHO directives to Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup fans coincides with Euroleague Basketball's support for the official Sustainable Development Goal promoting good health and well-being around the globe as put forth by the United Nations Development Programme and its COVID-19 campaign at tweetzero.org.

Euroleague Basketball urges all fans to follow the WHO guidelines closely and stay fully informed on the best ways to stay safe and cope with the pandemic until such time as everyone can breathe easy again.

The Euroleague Commercial Assets Shareholders Executive Board met remotely on Wednesday, March 25, to analyze the evolution of the COVID-19 global pandemic in its collective and individual businesses, including the competitions and communities.

ECA Shareholders Executive Board meets to discuss COVID-19 situation

The Euroleague Commercial Assets Shareholders Executive Board met remotely on Wednesday, March 25, to analyze the evolution of the COVID-19 global pandemic in its collective and individual businesses, including the competitions and communities.

Executive Board members agreed that:

- The competitions will resume once the situation allows there to be optimal health and safety conditions for all participants, following the recommendations of the relevant health authorities and local governments.

- Prioritizing the finish of the 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season with its existing format, meaning playing the remaining Regular Season, Playoffs and Final Four phases. This would most probably imply ending beyond the originally scheduled May dates, with game frequency potentially being condensed, if necessary. The same priority will be applied to the 2019-20 7DAYS EuroCup season.

- Continuing to analyze potential alternative competition systems that could be activated only if the situation would so require.

- Common policies and principles to be proposed to the EuroLeague Players Association and the EuroLeague Head Coaches Board, which include, amongst others: the potential return of players and head coaches to their home cities, and; players and head coaches’ commitments, including adjusted salary payments during the competitions suspensions.

- Making the 2019-20 Financial Stability & Fair Play Regulations more flexible until there is more certainty on the future evolution of the financial situation.

- The importance for all stakeholders (league, clubs, players, coaches, referees, ambassadors) to acknowledge their responsibility as points of reference and/or as sources of inspiration for many, to contribute in a coordinated manner to help combat COVID-19 in every way possible. This may be by raising awareness of how everyone can contribute to mitigate the spread of the virus, by staying as close as possible to those communities in need, or by simply providing those confined at home with some entertaining content around their biggest passion, basketball. The **#EUROLEAGUEUNITED** campaign will aggregate and expand the efforts already made by all stakeholders to support ongoing global campaigns, including #IStayHome or #InThisTogether.

The conclusions of the meeting were subsequently shared with all remaining 2019-20 EuroLeague and EuroCup clubs.

Euroleague Basketball is very pleased to announce a breakthrough partnership with IQONIQ, a new fan engagement platform made for sports and entertainment fans.

Euroleague Basketball partners with IQONIQ to boost fan engagement

Euroleague Basketball is very pleased to announce a breakthrough partnership with IQONIQ, a new fan engagement platform made for sports and entertainment fans.

Euroleague Basketball manages and organizes the continent's two premier men's basketball competitions, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup, which cover 42 basketball clubs based in 19 countries with a reach of 200 million worldwide fans and crown their seasons with the EuroLeague Final Four and the EuroCup Finals.

Starting immediately, the partnership makes IQONIQ the exclusive and official fan engagement and loyalty platform for the EuroLeague and the EuroCup for the next four years, until the end of the 2023-24 season.

IQONIQ is a new social media and fan engagement platform that targets the world of sport and entertainment by providing fans with an all-in-one ecosystem that rewards them for their commitment. As opposed to other social media platforms, IQONIQ offers direct benefits for its users, including loyalty program, in-app games and prizes, unique footage, special offers for tickets and merchandise, and much more.

For Euroleague Basketball, the partnership with IQONIQ exemplifies the organization's true commitment to engage with its fans and offer its clubs new and unique opportunities to further their ambitions in connecting with new and younger audiences, as well as with current and potential commercial partners.

For IQONIQ, the Euroleague Basketball partnership represents the third high-profile announcement within a month, following on from similar agreements with AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille. The IQONIQ app is due to open to users at the start of the 2020-21 season.

**Jordi Bertomeu, CEO of Euroleague Basketball:**

"Partnering with IQONIQ will help us achieve a new milestone in engagement with our fans. IQONIQ offers us the chance to build special relationships within our growing fan base and to bring that community closer together over a shared love of uniquely European basketball at its finest. In the last 20 years since the Euroleague Basketball's inception, we've created a community of fans that we want to continue supporting. Having a fan ecosystem is the next logical step and we are eager to discover with IQONIQ new ways of rewarding our loyal fans."

**Kazim Atilla, CEO of IQONIQ:**

"We are delighted to have signed this partnership agreement with EuroLeague Basketball, one of the most innovative and forward-thinking sports organizations in the world. Through this partnership, all clubs in the EuroLeague and EuroCup basketball competitions will be given unprecedented opportunities to engage with their fans, and vice versa, in new and mutually beneficial ways, further growing basketball across Europe – and the rest of the world – as a result. We look forward to working alongside Euroleague Basketball to fulfil our common ambitions in this regard."

For more information on IQONIQ, please visit www.iqoniq.com.

In the face of the unprecedented situation caused by COVID-19 virus, Euroleague Basketball is announcing the creation of a global campaign of mutual support and encouragement led by the clubs, players, coaches, referees, ambassadors and other stakeholders of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup.

#EUROLEAGUEUNITED against COVID-19

In the face of the unprecedented situation caused by COVID-19 virus, Euroleague Basketball is announcing the creation of a global campaign of mutual support and encouragement led by the clubs, players, coaches, referees, ambassadors and other stakeholders of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup.

#EUROLEAGUEUNITED extends the support that the league has already provided to global awareness campaigns such as #StayHome and #InThisTogether. The campaign aims to aggregate and coordinate the efforts being made by all stakeholders to raise awareness of how each and every individual can contribute to the fight against the spread of the virus, to provide tips to fans to keep themselves healthy during their home stay, to support communities in need as much as possible, and to simply continue delivering entertaining content around our shared passion for basketball.

With initiatives such as EuroLeague Academy and One Team, Euroleague Basketball has always placed great importance on social engagement, and now more than ever it is vital for its 42 clubs across 13 countries all over the continent to work together within their communities.

Being at home does not mean that basketball must stop completely, and Euroleague Basketball will soon be launching a number of initiatives to ensure that no fan feels isolated or alone. For example, our One Team Ambassadors and coaches are designing special sessions that can be carried out at home, and the continent's top coaches and players will be sharing their expertise, showing how they spend their time at home, participating in special Q&A sessions and challenges, and collaborating in raising awareness around the important recommendations provided by the World Health Organization to avoid further spreading the virus, as well as the United Nations Development Programme's goal to encourage physical health and mental well-being around the globe.

Fans can also come together to relive their fondest memories from the last 20 years, as Euroleague Basketball takes a special look back at the most exciting games and most spectacular individual performances from the past two decades. Full classic game streams, special highlight reels, virtual games, and many more basketball surprises are awaiting fans at Euroleague Basketball's digital platforms during these challenging times.

These are very difficult days for millions of people, but we can all stay together through basketball. We can support each other, keep each other entertained and remember that no matter which team we follow are or where we live, in the battle against the COVID-19 we are all #EUROLEAGUEUNITED.

Euroleague Basketball expresses its condolences to the Real Madrid family upon learning of the death of former club president Lorenzo Sanz, who passed away on Saturday. He is survived by his wife Maria and four children. His son Lorenzo played for Real's basketball team for two seasons and functioned as the technical director of the basketball section of the club for another year, which culminated in the Spanish League title in 2000. The late Mr. Sanz served as Real's director from 1985 through 1995, which is when he became the club president for a five-year term. He presided at Real during a period in which the club enjoyed great prominence in both basketball and football. During Mr. Sanz's term as president, Real won the 1997 Saporta Cup and the 2000 Spanish League titles in basketball, while in football it captured UEFA Champions League crowns in 1998 and 2000 after a two-decade dry spell. Sanz was 76 at the time of his passing. May his memory be a blessing.

Euroleague Basketball mourns Lorenzo Sanz

Euroleague Basketball joins the world basketball community in mourning the passing of Borislav Stankovic, FIBA Secretary General Emeritus, on Friday at his home in Belgrade at the age of 94. Mr. Stankovic's life-long work helped lay the foundation for basketball becoming the global game that it is today.

Euroleague Basketball mourns Borislav Stankovic

Euroleague Basketball joins the world basketball community in mourning the passing of Borislav Stankovic, FIBA Secretary General Emeritus, on Friday at his home in Belgrade at the age of 94. Mr. Stankovic's life-long work helped lay the foundation for basketball becoming the global game that it is today.

"On behalf of the Euroleague Basketball family, let me express our condolences to the loved ones and many friends of the late Bora Stankovic, one of the pioneers of basketball in Europe," Jordi Bertomeu, President and CEO of Euroleague Basketball, said. "His life-long dedication to basketball was an example for everyone, and the imprint he left on our sport will never be forgotten."

Although he spent majority of his professional career as a basketball administrator, Stankovic was first a player in the 1940s, winning two national titles in Yugoslavia and representing the country's national team on 36 occasions. He turned to full-time coaching in 1953, winning three Yugoslav Leagues and a national cup with OKK Belgrade, plus one Italian League with Orasonda Cantu in 1968.

While still a coach, he become Secretary General of the Yugoslavian Basketball Federation and then a Vice-Secretary General of FIBA in 1960. Mr. Stankovic succeeded William Jones, the first Secretary General of FIBA, in 1972, a position he held for 26 years, subsequently becoming the world basketball governing body's Secretary General Emeritus. Among his many accomplishments was the opening of the Olympic Games and World Championships to professional players in 1992, ushering in a modern era of globalism in basketball.

In 1991, Mr. Stankovic was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, as a contributor to the sport, and in 2007, he entered the FIBA Hall of Fame.

May he rest in peace.

Dear Fans,

I want to thank all of you for the passion and commitment that you continue showing Euroleague Basketball in the most difficult situation we have lived in our 20-year history.

Letter to fans from Jordi Bertomeu

Dear Fans,

I want to thank all of you for the passion and commitment that you continue showing Euroleague Basketball in the most difficult situation we have lived in our 20-year history.

Since the very first moment when the COVID-19 virus arrived to Europe, we have taken this issue with the maximum seriousness and meticulously following the instructions of national and regional governments, as well as those of the relevant global authorities. This has led us to take unpopular decisions including playing games behind closed doors or relocating games that damaged our most precious treasure, the fans, and ultimately the escalation has forced us to temporarily suspend our competitions to protect participants and fans as well as to contribute to the efforts that our communities are making to fight the global pandemic altogether.

Our games will be suspended until at least April 11, 2020 and we remain committed to deliver an ending to what has been an outstanding season so far.

If the entire situation has brought anything good, it is more evidence that the Euroleague Basketball family is a unique community that everyone can feel very proud to belong to.

We will continue serving you with content from our competitions across euroleague.net and official social media platforms, where you will also find further updates on the COVID-19 situation. We will also work in close partnership with our rightsholders to entertain fans who find themselves in an unusual situation.

We hope that we can count a “win” and that the competitions can be resumed as soon as possible. Euroleague Basketball will continue monitoring the situation on a daily basis, as our Medical Officer works in partnership with public health experts to ensure that this occurs when the environment is safe to do so. Meanwhile, we encourage you to follow all precautionary measures that are recommended by your public health authorities and the World Health Organization to prevent the spread of the virus as much as possible.


Best regards,
Jordi Bertomeu
President & CEO
Euroleague Basketball

Euroleague Basketball has been closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, namely the consideration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the outbreak is a pandemic, the increased risks for all participants in games, the increasing restrictions of movement across Europe, the vast amount of traveling disruptions causing the impossibility to reach certain destinations, and the different recommendations by the health authorities that may be helpful to prevent the spread of the virus.

Euroleague Basketball competitions suspended

Euroleague Basketball has been closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, namely the consideration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the outbreak is a pandemic, the increased risks for all participants in games, the increasing restrictions of movement across Europe, the vast amount of traveling disruptions causing the impossibility to reach certain destinations, and the different recommendations by the health authorities that may be helpful to prevent the spread of the virus.

**Jordi Bertomeu's letter to EuroLeague fans**

As a consequence of the above it has become impossible to maintain the regularity of the competitions, and in order to preserve the health and safety of the participants and fans, Euroleague Basketball in agreement with its clubs has taken the decision to temporarily suspend all 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, 7DAYS EuroCup and Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament games until further notice.

Euroleague Basketball will closely monitor any further developments to verify whether they allow the suspension to be reverted.

Euroleague Basketball is constantly monitoring the situation including WHO (World Health Organization) and national administration announcements and recommendations towards the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Euroleague Basketball is also in continuous contact with all 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup teams that are or may be affected by this exceptional situation.

Game changes due to COVID-19

Euroleague Basketball is constantly monitoring the situation including WHO (World Health Organization) and national administration announcements and recommendations towards the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Euroleague Basketball is also in continuous contact with all 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup teams that are or may be affected by this exceptional situation.

The Euroleague Basketball competitions will maintain their regularity to the maximum degree possible, ensuring that the home club provides safe and secure conditions for all participants.

**March 12, 2020 : Euroleague Basketball competitions suspended**

Euroleague Basketball has been closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, namely the consideration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the outbreak is a pandemic, the increased risks for all participants in games, the increasing restrictions of movement across Europe, the vast amount of traveling disruptions causing the impossibility to reach certain destinations, and the different recommendations by the health authorities that may be helpful to prevent the spread of the virus.

As a consequence of the above it has become impossible to maintain the regularity of the competitions, and in order to preserve the health and safety of the participants and fans, Euroleague Basketball in agreement with its clubs has taken the decision to temporarily suspend all 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, 7DAYS EuroCup and Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament games until further notice.

Euroleague Basketball will closely monitor any further developments to verify whether they allow the suspension to be reverted.

**March 12, 2020 : Euroleague Basketball evaluating temporary suspension of its competitions**

Following last night's declaration by the World Health Organization that the COVID-19 virus is now a pandemic, Euroleague Basketball has initiated a consultation with its clubs to temporarily suspend its competitions (Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, 7DAYS EuroCup, Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament).

The decision will be communicated later today.

**March 11, 2020 : Milan-Olympiacos game to be played at Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin**

The AX Armani Exchange Milan-Olympiacos Piraeus game for Round 29 of the 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season has been rescheduled to be played at Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin on Friday, March 13, 2020, with tip-off at 20:45 CET. The game will be played behind closed doors. Accredited media, except International Feed TV production company personnel, will not be allowed to access the game.

**March 11, 2020 : Euroleague Basketball games in Italy to be relocated**

Euroleague Basketball has been forced to temporarily suspend the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup games in Italy at least until April 11 and to relocate those games to other territories.

The following games, which were scheduled to be played in Italy during this period, will be moved to alternate arenas outside of Italy:

* AX Armani Exchange Milan EuroLeague Regular Season Round 29 against Olympiacos Piraeus.

* AX Armani Exchange Milan EuroLeague Regular Season Round 32 against LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne.

* AX Armani Exchange Milan EuroLeague Regular Season Round 34 against CSKA Moscow.

* Segafredo Virtus Bologna EuroCup Quarterfinals Game 2 against AS Monaco.

* Umana Reyer Venice EuroCup Quarterfinals Game 2 against Unicaja Malaga.
Euroleague Basketball will communicate the final venue of each game during the following days.

The evolution of the situation will continue to be monitored with the relevant international and national authorities, as well as with the clubs, and any changes to the above measures will be communicated in due course.

**March 10, 2020 : ALL GAMES**

After consulting with Euroleague Basketball's Medical Officer, and to guarantee the safety and security of participating players and coaches, the following protocols have been established:

* Locker room access for accredited media has been cancelled until further notice for all Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games.

* Mixed zone access for accredited media has been cancelled until further notice for all Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games.

* A minimum distance of 1.5 meters between players/coach and media representatives must be maintained at press conferences.

* Euroleague Basketball recommends that all media availabilities held one or two days before each game take place at the press conference room with at least two players and the head coach attending, and respecting the minimum distance of 1.5 meters between players/coach and media representatives.


**March 10, 2020 : EuroLeague Round 29 affectations**

The Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv-Kirolbet Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz will have limited seating capacity to 2,000 spectators. Accredited media will be allowed to access the game.

The Real Madrid-Crvena Zvezda MTS Belgrade game will be played behind closed doors. Accredited media, except International Feed TV production company personnel, will not be allowed to access the game.

The FC Barcelona-Zalgiris Kaunas game will be played behind closed doors. Accredited media, except International Feed TV production company personnel, will not be allowed to access the game.

**March 09, 2020 : LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-Zenit St Petersburg to be played behind closed doors.**

The LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-Zenit St Petersburg game for Round 29 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season will be played behind closed doors. Accredited media will be allowed to access the game.

**March 4, 2020 : Valencia Basket - AX Armani Exchange Milan to be played behind closed doors**

Due to the Spanish government's prohibition on fans attending professional sports events involving teams coming from regions considered to be at risk of COVID-19 transmission, Euroleague Basketball confirms that the Valencia Basket-AX Armani Exchange Milan game for Round 28 of the 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season will be played behind closed doors on Thursday, March 5, at 21:00 local CET time, as scheduled.

To guarantee the safety and security of participating players, coaches and referees, to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and to maintain the regularity of the competition, no individuals – including fans, VIPs, nor additional club staff members – will be allowed access to the arena. Only the minimum necessary individuals – including players, coaching staff, referees, unified scorers, TV production company personnel, arena operations staff and medical staff – will be permitted access to the arena. Euroleague Basketball will continue to monitor the situation in all countries where Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup games are being played.

**March 4, 2020 : Darussafaka-Virtus EuroCup game to be played in Stark Arena**

The Darussafaka Tekfen Istanbul-Segafredo Virtus Bologna game for Round 6 of the 2019-20 7DAYS EuroCup Top 16 has been rescheduled to be played in Stark Arena, Belgrade on Thursday March 5 2020, with tip-off at 18:15 CET. The game was suspended by Euroleague Basketball due to the impossibility for the away team, Segafredo Virtus Bologna, to enter into Turkish territory.

At the request of the Serbian Health Ministry, the game will be played behind closed doors to guarantee the safety and security of participating players, coaches and referees, and to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

**March 3, 2020 : EuroCup game Monaco-UNICS to be played behind closed doors**

The AS Monaco-UNICS Kazan game for Round 6 of the 7DAYS EuroCup Top 16 will be played behind closed doors.

Euroleague Basketball has taken this decision based on regulations applying World Health Organization and national administration guidelines that are currently in place in the Principality of Monaco and after consultation with Euroleague Basketball's Medical Officer. To guarantee the safety and security of participating players, coaches and referees, to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and to maintain the regularity of the competition, the home team has set special health security protocols for the game. No individuals – including fans, VIPs, nor additional club staff members – will be allowed access to the arena. Only the minimum necessary individuals – including players, coaching staff, referees, unified scorers, TV production company personnel, arena operations staff, medical staff and journalists – will be permitted access to the arena. Euroleague Basketball will continue to monitor the situation in all the countries where Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup games are being played.

**March 3, 2020 : Darussafaka Tekfen Istanbul-Segafredo Virtus Bologna EuroCup game suspended**

The Darussafaka Tekfen Istanbul-Segafredo Virtus Bologna game for Round 6 of the 2019-20 7DAYS EuroCup Top 16 has been suspended due to the impossibility for the away team, Segafredo Virtus Bologna, to enter into Turkish territory.

Euroleague Basketball has taken this decision due to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs restricting access to the country for any individual that has travelled to Italy during the previous 14 days. Euroleague Basketball is in the process of evaluating alternative arenas in other countries as well as alternative dates to reschedule the suspended game. The details will be announced in the coming days.

**March 1, 2020 : Milan-Real EuroLeague game, Brescia-Reyer EuroCup game to be played behind closed doors**

The AX Armani Exchange Milan-Real Madrid game for Round 27 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and the Germani Brescia Leonessa-Umana Reyer Venice game for Round 6 of the 7DAYS EuroCup Top 16 will be played behind closed doors.

Euroleague Basketball has taken this decision based on regulations applying World Health Organization and national administration guidelines that are currently in place in the Lombardy Region of Italy and after consultation with Euroleague Basketball's Medical Officer. To guarantee the safety and security of participating players, coaches and referees, to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and to maintain the regularity of the competition, the home teams have set special health security protocols for the games. No individuals – including fans, VIPs, journalists nor additional club staff members – will be allowed access the arenas. As a result, traditional media availability activities surrounding the game have also been cancelled. Only the minimum necessary individuals – including players, coaching staff, referees, unified scorers, TV production company personnel, arena operations staff and medical staff – will be permitted access to the arenas. Euroleague Basketball will continue to monitor the situation in the Lombardy Region.