Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol confirmed his involvement in the NBA Europe project, though he said he does not have a specific role yet.
Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol has confirmed his involvement with the NBA Europe project.
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol
Position: PF
Age: 45
Height: 213 cm
Weight: 113 kg
Birth place: Barcelona, Spain
At the moment, Gasol emphasized that his role is not yet defined; he is currently engaged in discussions with the NBA, FIBA, and various clubs to gain a clearer perspective on how basketball growth in Europe should take shape.
"At this moment, there isn't a defined role. I'm simply working with the NBA, with FIBA, and talking with teams to see what the evolution of basketball growth in Europe should be," he said in an interview with Toni Canyameras for Mundo Deportivo.
"From there, we'll see what role I end up playing, whether it's at the league level or with a team. I think there's a significant opportunity to take a step forward and help our sport of basketball grow in Europe."
Credit Oscar J. Barroso/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix
The former FC Barcelona player also highlighted his close connection with his hometown club and his hope to collaborate with them on the new project.
"My link with Barca is natural and self-evident. Beyond any specific role, the priority is for the club to understand the core concept and for us to collaborate with the NBA on a strategic approach."
"Ultimately, this represents a major paradigm shift for European basketball and the club's operational model. We must progress toward this goal gradually, but we are confident the outcome will be positive for everyone involved," he explained.
Credit Mike Lawrie/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Gasol also shared his vision for NBA Europe and its main goal of establishing a sustainable model.
"Our ultimate goal is to transform European basketball into a sustainable model, one with real room for growth rather than a loss-making sport," he said.
"We have a unique opportunity to build new relationships and a different model that offers a much greater margin for impact than what we have seen until now. We need to shift our approach, define our strategy, and establish a stable foundation from the start."
"We should build this from the ground up," he added. "Basketball is a globally significant sport, and I believe we have the space to enhance it as both an experience and a spectacle, going beyond just the magic of the game itself. That is exactly what we have come here to achieve."
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