Dejan Bodiroga, Euroleague Basketball President
“Good evening to everyone. Welcome to our press conference and thank you for coming. I hope you are having a good time here in Abu Dhabi. I would also like to congratulate our finalists, Fenerbahce and Monaco, for reaching the Championship Game. I am sure that we will have another unforgettable Final and that it will be a celebration of all the season, which was probably one of the best in history.
I would also like to thank the city of Abu Dhabi and to thank DCT, our great hosts. I think that this Final Four proves that the EuroLeague is a global product. This is something historic. We can partner with new markets without losing the identity of the EuroLeague and I think that this is a historical moment. Our fans are the best in the world – they can travel anywhere in the world and they come to support their teams.
I say historical moment because of many reasons, not only that this season is one of the best seasons ever but also that we are celebrating the 25th anniversary. I would like to thank all players, coaches, our club owners, managers, our fans, and of course the media for your support over the last 25 years. This is something that is great that we’ve had the EuroLeague during these last 25 years, and we arrive at the moment where it is one of the top leagues in the world.
We also showed that we can come to other markets, open new borders, and I think that Abu Dhabi showed us that in the future we can have here many possibilities and a lot of potential. This season, I think that we showed – I think Paulius will after go deeper into the details and numbers – that we have had an incredible season with all numbers. After I will give the floor to Paulius, we are very happy and proud about what we did this season and also that we demonstrated here in Abu Dhabi that the EuroLeague is a global partner and that it can make it anywhere. I will now give the floor to Paulius and after we are ready for any questions. Thank you.”
Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO
“Hi everyone. First of all Thank you for coming. Good to be back here with you, everybody. Just to follow up on Dejan, very thankful to the city of Abu Dhabi for the DCT, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi for organizing this. When we first announced this brave move, there were a lot of questions, issues, and skepticism. It was a brave decision and we are very proud of this decision. Happy to see this week and these days bring the event to the level that we wanted. Of course, it’s mostly based on the wonderful fan bases that came here. Proud to unlock a new market and, let’s say, a new skill for us and really happy to look at the future to look at the possibilities. Of course, we will grow focusing on the product that we have, the product that has been created by the clubs, the players, the coaches, and everybody on the court.
We hope to continue to get as much attention and even more from all of you in promoting this wonderful game of basketball. We have been growing this year and we have record numbers, both digital, TV viewership, arena attendance, and we believe that it is only the start. We believe that we will grow, we believe that we will continue to make the product better. There is nobody else in this good position as the EuroLeague to do it in this moment. We are also proud to be on the list of events that have happened here like the UFC, Formula 1, other basketball games, but I think the spectacle that was here yesterday, especially talking to Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, it raises the level and this is what we’re happy to explore and to share. I just spoke to the Etihad Arena General Manager, he said that they need to level up. We are proud of that and we really believe that our future is bright, it’s strong, and can’t wait to see what next season will bring.”
About the future of the third-place game:
Motiejunas: “It’s a good question and I’ve been talking to the fans, the fans who are outside Europe, and everybody is expecting a great match tomorrow because it’s a Greek derby. It’s an interesting situation, we hope the game will be competitive, but yes we had this discussion about the third-place game for, I think, many years. I was here last year protecting it and saying that it’s very important, and now we’ve been talking to ELPA. You’ve seen what Boki [Nachbar, ELPA Managing Director] was saying and yes, we’re trying to analyze and bring to the clubs the option to cancel the third-place game starting next season, so it is on the table. We don’t believe that we will replace it with the EuroCup Final, but we are looking for options to give something for the fans, whether it’s the NextGen Final or something else, but I’m changing my mind after last year.”
About BC Partners’ possible investment:
Motiejunas: “It was a very long and interesting process for us. First of all, we need to thank BC Partners for making an offer and standing by the offer and being in partnership with us and looking at the league. The offer was not approved. We continue to look forward. There are no more discussions at the moment. It’s quite recent, so there was an offer, it was not approved. We need to regroup, we need to see, we need to fix our own things, and we will hopefully – or maybe – open up. There’s no certainty right now. As I said, it’s quite fresh, but it’s a simple process that we tried to do. It was not finished, but we don’t have a clear picture if we will do it in the future.
About ALBA Berlin leaving for the BCL and rumors of other EuroCup clubs following:
Motiejunas: “Not concerned... concerned is not the right word. This is part of the job. Regarding Valencia and Joventut, there’s rumors. We don’t want to comment on rumors. We are in touch with the clubs and we’ll see what the future shows. ALBA, not surprised. We’ve been in talks with the club for many, many years. The EuroLeague has helped the club for many, many years also. They were part of the family. It’s sad that they have to go, but they took the decision, it’s their decision. We wish all the best to the club, we hope that the decision is right and we continue to move forward. We have a list of clubs who want to participate – strong clubs – and we really believe that there’s nothing to be worried about, we just have to continue to grow and prove to the clubs that we are the right place for them to play.”
About meeting FIBA and the NBA to discuss a possible collaboration:
Motiejunas: “I think it’s a too difficult question to answer. We go with an open heart and an open mind to try to see what we’ve always been saying: how we can grow basketball, and overall basketball, in Europe. If we find collaboration on how to do it together, we are happy to do it. We don’t go with some kind of expectations, we want to open the discussion, see how we can grow the pie of basketball, how we can improve basketball, and if it’s something we can do together that would be great. I cannot tell you that we’re going with A, B, C and D, or yes or no answers. It’s been like this for quite some time. We saw the press conference, we heard the word ‘explore’, so maybe I can go up and say that we will sit down and explore possibilities, if that’s the right answer.”
About potentially expanding to 20 teams, and Dimitris Giannakopoulos’s halftime incident in the semifinals:
Motiejunas: “I’m thinking which one to take first. I’ll start with the second one. It’s really unfortunate that we had the very good behavior by the fans because other than the chants, which I’m sorry but I don’t understand Greek or Turkish so it seemed like it’s all supportive, other than the chants we had no incidents between the fans or minor incidents that I’m so grateful of, and this is the picture that we show to the people of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. So it’s really unfortunate we had the events that we had with Mr. Dimitris, who is very supportive of the team. He’s the owner of one of the best teams and the hot teams in the whole of Europe. The way that the team is improving – the arena and everything around the game of basketball, it’s really amazing and you have to give full credit. So it’s really sad that the outcome was like this. We just published the decision that we took. And again, it’s unfortunate. All I can say is that it’s unfortunate. And regarding question number one, near future is a good enough answer? We believe we’re ready for 20 teams. We believe that we have enough strong candidates to grow to 20 teams. As management, we really believe that it’s time to take this step. Of course, the clubs will make the decision, but we have already shared the proposals and we will discuss in the near future and the decision will come. It’s either 18 or 20, but we believe that we’re ready for 20.”
About scheduling of game times, and playing neutral-site games:
Motiejunas: “We have plans. We opened up this market with the Final Four, we’re trying to see if we can have regular-season games next season in neutral venues. It’s something, I would say, pending and coming in the really near future, maybe even next season. That’s on our list and we hope to make it work. Regarding the times, it’s a never-ending discussion. We have different time zones, we have different TV partners, then there’s arena attendance, and there’s so many things that come into play. I hope you see that we improved a little bit. We continuously will try to improve and try to have them all separate, but there’s so many moving parts to tell you that we are going to fix it. It’s in discussion and obviously we want to do it, but it’s not that easy. But we will continue to improve.”
About having a playoff series as the Finals or a Final Four:
Bodiroga: “I prefer Final Four, and maybe this is the opinion of some players who lost many Final Fours and they prefer playoffs. But for this, at the Final Four we celebrate all the season. I think the fans like it. It’s one game, but you need to be ready in this game because some of them are playing in the Regular Season and Playoffs, but this is the game that everybody expects and I think fans and all of us prefer to have the Final Four, where everything will be decided in this game.”
About the experience of bringing the Final Four to Abu Dhabi, and chants against Giannakopoulos:
Motiejunas: “Regarding the chants, of course everything we get is translated. But I was just referring to the reaction during the game that you think they are supporting the team, which you expect, but when you see it it’s a different picture. Regarding the Final Four so far, I get this question for this past week and I keep giving the same answer: give me this question tomorrow after the Championship Game. So far we are very happy with how everything is going. We can feel that the full city of Abu Dhabi and everybody is very supportive. It’s very easy to find solutions with them. I mentioned and Dejan mentioned many times the DCT who are behind it. You saw His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak,** the Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) at the game yesterday taking videos, so he’s personally very involved and we feel the immense support and it’s really encouraging. Yes, we are analyzing the situation to come back here. The contract was signed with the idea that after the first year, we sit down and talk about other options. Not ‘26, but for the years to come. So for sure, next season we will be in Europe because we understand the importance of not forgetting our key market, but we will look at the possibility to come back here.
About the location of the 2026 Final Four, and the Serbian clubs’ future:
Motiejunas: “Once we make a decision, we will for sure announce it so that you know. They (Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade) are on the list. I don’t want to talk about specific clubs, but you all know that we have 13 stable shareholders. One of them is still not playing next season (CSKA Moscow), so we have 12. We have Monaco and Hapoel coming as EuroCup representatives, then two Serbian clubs (Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade), there’s Valencia, there’s Virtus, there’s Paris, there’s Dubai, there’s Hapoel Jerusalem also on the list. So we have a list of teams who we will discuss in the near future who will be in the EuroLeague next season and maybe not for one season but for more.
About whether Dubai has officially joined the EuroLeague:
Motiejunas: “Of course not. We have an interesting rule that if we make a decision, we will let you know. So if there’s rumors, it’s only rumors. If you didn’t see it in any official website, it means that the decision is not made. Just like I answered about the Serbian clubs, it’s the same with Dubai. They are on the list, the shareholders will decide in the near future and we will let you know.”
About Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly not attending EuroLeague meetings:
Motiejunas: “Where did you hear that they did not attend the meetings? Again, the rumors. They are part of the EuroLeague, they are part of us. We are in talks. They were in the last meeting that we had Friday (May 23) online. We have connection with them, so I don’t know how to answer your question because the first statement is not true.”
About a three-year license for Hapoel Tel Aviv and maybe Hapoel Jerusalem joining the EuroLeague, plus games being played in Israel:
Motiejunas: “Tough question. Political question. I’ll try to answer nicely. Firstly about Hapoel Tel Aviv, amazing season with Ofer [Yannay] coming in and making bold moves and bold statements, so can’t wait to see what statements we will have in the EuroLeague next season. He’s here, we’re talking, obviously. I can probably take Paris as an example that we’re growing step by step, so the same with all the teams. We want to see the progress and it will be clear next season what the situation is. Regarding the most important question if they can play in Israel, at the moment we can see that the situation is still intense and there’s a lot of political turmoil. We want stability. You had a ceasefire and we wanted it to continue, so again as the EuroLeague, we remember how wonderful the fans in Israel are. We see that the domestic competition is happening, but we need some stability and of course as soon as there’s stability and as soon as there’s peace, and then as soon as there’s less or no political tension, we will look at the situation to have games going back. It’s quite tough to imagine three teams in the EuroLeague that cannot play at home participating in the EuroLeague, but Hapoel Jerusalem and what Matan [Adelson, its owner] is doing is also a huge step and hands down a wonderful job. We believe that the club has a great future. We will continue to talk, to analyze, and I’m not doubting that they have a huge chance to be a part of the EuroLeague in the near future.”
About the logistics of having Israeli clubs in the EuroLeague, as well as the future of the Russian clubs:
Motiejunas: “I don’t think there’s a clear answer. What I can clearly say is that CSKA Moscow would be back as soon as there’s peace, which we all want, because they are a shareholder. If you talk about UNICS, there’s Lokomotiv we can mention, Zenit… I think it’s easy for them to go back and play at the top level because they have teams now, games are happening in Russia, so it’s not like they’d have to create everything from the beginning. I cannot say that all of them would make it, but they would be just part of the list as well for the clubs to analyze. Again, the decision is made by the market, what kind of teams, how strong are the teams, and so on and so forth. And for Israel, you need to not forget, especially for the clubs, how important the revenues from the ticket sales are, so that’s another part that we take into account as well. Hoping that there’s peace, they can have more stable budgets. It’s more difficult for us to manage this, but the first year is very difficult, the second year it’s easier, the third year is even easier because the clubs know, we know, and it’s not only the clubs in the EuroLeague but also in the EuroCup as well who have to face these issues. You get used to the tough part and we hope we can go back to normal as soon as possible.”
About having more Turkish clubs, like Bahcesehir or Besiktas, in the EuroLeague:
Motiejunas: “Listen, Bahcesehir was so close to winning the EuroCup. They had a great season. They started, you remember, last year in the Turkish League. They were not that great in the standings, but we met with the management and they proved to us that they’re ready for the EuroCup, and they really did a great job. So one path is for the EuroCup and for sure Bahcesehir will improve and move forward. For the other clubs, of course we keep analyzing the situation, we keep checking. Let’s see. We need to see the plan, we need to see the arenas, we need to see the idea behind it, but we’re open. It’s also one of the good markets, but so far Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes are doing a great job and controlling and proving that they are the best in this market.”
About the NextGen tournament and teenagers going to play in the NCAA:
Motiejunas: “I don’t think there’s much we can do. It all belongs to the clubs. We also read rumors about Madrid and Barcelona cancelling their systems. It clearly can only be controlled by FIBA, by the management of international competition. We also read about this letter of clearance thing. We spoke with Andreas [Zagklis, FIBA General Secretary] and he mentioned it could get done, so we really hope and we will talk with them to see what the options are. It’s a big threat – I don’t know if threat is the right word – but it’s something we have to adapt to. I seriously believe that it’s only a temporal issue. Those guys go there to go to the NBA and I’m pretty sure that after they’re done with university, not a lot of them will go and they will come back. I hope this cycle will start and finish and the guys will come to Europe and we will have motivation to be growing the young players, or with the help of FIBA if we can solve the issue and maybe buyouts could be put in. Then it’s motivating for the clubs into this. We’re talking to the clubs, we’re talking to FIBA, but as a league I think there’s not much we can do other than continuously do the junior competition, which is always competitive and always good to watch.”
About FIBA windows next season:
Motiejunas: “Let’s wait until the announcement. The first part is yes, there’s no agreement.”
About the ALBA owner calling the EuroLeague a business that loses money:
Motiejunas: “I think it was more about the clubs losing money, not about the league. We are a league that is making a profit and distributing the profits to the teams, which are our shareholders. It’s unfortunate that we have this comment because we know that the competitive league that it (ALBA) has joined just announced that it lost more than 15 million [euros] in two years. It’s also unfortunate that we take the bad examples. We have really sustainable clubs that are making a profit by playing in the EuroLeague or at least breaking even. Again, all I say is that it’s unfortunate. I think playing in the EuroLeague creates a lot of opportunities to be making money and to be making profits. Some teams maximize on that, some teams can improve on that, and I will just stop there.”
About fans’ complaints and frustrations regarding referees:
Bodiroga: “First of all, I think that this is more a question for our director of refereeing, Dani Hierrezuelo, and his team, Fernando Rocha and Christos Christodoulou. But what I can tell you, I don’t know if you watch another competition, like the Olympic Games or some other competition, but we have the best referees. When we are talking about our product and that we are unique, and let’s say the best, the referees are part of this. Not only players and coaches and fans, the referees are also part of this. Because of this, we have this product so they are also an important part of our game and our product. I can tell you that they have our support and I think they had a good season. They performed well – in the regular season, in the playoffs and here at the Final Four. This is my answer. I think for more details on this, I think that this is a question for our director [of officiating].”
About replay review and challenges in games, as well as ELPA’s response to double weeks:
Motiejunas: “We’re talking to ELPA, we’re trying to help players travel easier on double weeks. I think this shift already happened. You heard Saras saying yesterday that they don’t practice so much. I think the adjustment is already made because once the double weeks started, they had to change their training models, the way they approached the games, the physio coaches were really important, and I really think everybody has already adjusted to that. They take it as a normal thing. Obviously the players like the games, they don’t like to practice, which is something that we also get. It has proven to be the right thing, the right way. Even when we had double weeks before, you remember if you had two games in one week it’s harder to do sell-outs, but this year’s numbers also showed that with the competitiveness level and the names of the teams that are coming in, it’s also becoming an easier things. It’s not this hot or negative topic anymore, or less negative a topic as it was before. And regarding the replays and everything…”
Bodiroga: “We are talking that we can improve this next season. The IRS needs to be shorter and also the introduced manual system, and I think next season it will be much shorter and better.”
About Zeljko Obradovic’s comments on players needing more time to rest:
Bodiroga: “I agree with what Zeljko says, we need to take care of our players and protect them. But it doesn’t depend only on the EuroLeague, it’s a global calendar – they are playing with their national teams, they have domestic leagues. We are part of this global calendar, but all of us we need to care about our players.”
Motiejunas: “I agree. You said to both, so I agree.”
About Partizan and Zvezda’s earning a share of the TV rights:
Motiejunas: “I will be boring and I will say that we have two Serbian clubs, we have Valencia, Virtus, and many other clubs, so I don’t want to start going into details about everybody because I need to respect all the clubs. Once all the decisions will be made, when we talk about expansion we believe we can change many things, but let’s go step by step. Sorry for the boring answer, but with all the respect and thanks to both clubs.”
About coaches being worried to criticize referees due to the fear of being fined:
Motiejunas: “Listen, the coaches are one big and important part of the EuroLeague, obviously. But when it comes to comments and the fines that we impose, I think only then do they take a step back. I only believe that we are only following the rules, that we know the rules. We know the emotions, we know everything, it’s also pressure, tactics and all those things involved. I do not believe that coaches are not a part of the EuroLeague or that we treat them this way. We have the coaches’ union, we have all the coaches. And everybody says that the EuroLeague and basketball in Europe is the coaches’ basketball, so I think it’s only a tactic how to avoid bigger fines.”
About playing a Final Four in another region of the world:
Motiejunas: “This is a tough one because this region is closer to some clubs and further to others, but it’s still manageable. When we think about something even further, it becomes more challenging, especially if we think about the Final Four. But for sure we’re not closing down on preseason tournaments because you know that some clubs have been going. There’s an amazing tournament in September in Australia that I think will be one of a kind with Panathinaikos and Partizan playing, so both teams and us are exploring new markets, but if we talk about the Final Four it’s quite complicated. We’re not trying to get ahead of ourselves too much, so we’ll take it step by step and we just hope that the fans enjoy it, you enjoy it. Like I started, I want to finish: I hope after tomorrow, when everything is over, we can say this was the best Final Four and we put a new standard and we continue to get better and better and overdo ourselves next year.”
Closing statement
Motiejunas: “Thank you very much, guys, for coming, for being with us and for writing all the good and bad stuff for 25 years. It’s only the start, let’s continue together. Thank you very much.”
Bodiroga: “Thank you.”