Former EuroLeague CEO Jordi Bertomeu has expressed concerns regarding the NBA's proposed entry into European basketball, suggesting that the financial terms could undermine club autonomy and jeopardize the sport's tradition. During an interview on RAC1’s Tu diràs, Bertomeu, who led Euroleague Basketball from 2000 until 2022, highlighted the troubling implications of the current proposal.
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Bertomeu emphasized that his past discussions with the NBA were focused on cooperation, contrasting this with the NBA's current approach. "The terms in which it has been presented are worrying. From the terms we are seeing, it is difficult to see anything positive coming out of it for European basketball," he noted.
His main concern centers on the potential loss of control over competition. Bertomeu pointed out that the EuroLeague's establishment was driven by clubs wanting to define their own future after separating from FIBA. He stated, "For 26 years, the clubs have decided their own future... but the NBA’s proposal clearly puts an end to that and takes us back to the beginning." He worries that clubs might again be placed under external control, leading them to "do what somebody else tells them to do."
Bertomeu acknowledged that market expansion is beneficial, referring to London’s participation in the early days of the EuroLeague. However, he cautioned against jeopardizing established teams such as Olympiacos and Zalgiris, which have contributed significantly to European basketball.
He also criticized the proposed financial arrangements, indicating that clubs could be required to pay significantly more to participate than they would receive. "It does not seem logical that teams like Barca or Madrid would have to pay to play in something they themselves have built," he elaborated, finding it unacceptable that they would receive only a fraction of what they would owe.
Beyond governance and finances, Bertomeu pointed out a cultural difference, stating that in Europe, sport aims to support business, while in the U.S., business leverages sport. "Our teams, our clubs, and our fans are clearly accustomed to competitive tension, not business tension," he concluded.
Finally, Bertomeu expressed skepticism about the proposed timeline for implementation in 2027, noting that the current level of sophistication in the EuroLeague makes such a timeline ambitious. He suggested that the 2027 target might be aimed at pressuring investors.