BCL CEO Patrick Comninos says FIBA's talks with the NBA and EuroLeague on the new NBA Europe project are progressing around a two-tier ecosystem, with the BCL serving as an open pathway, domestic leagues being protected, and all 13 licensed EuroLeague seen in the ecosystem.
Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos answered several questions about one of the hottest topics in basketball right now, the NBA Europe project, during the BCL Final Four media roundtable on Friday.
Comninos acknowledged that the process remains complex, but said the talks have already produced important common ground.
He noted that the first major step was the recognition by all parties involved - FIBA, the NBA, and EuroLeague - that the current model does not necessarily maximize the commercial potential of European clubs.
"We all acknowledge that it's a complex process. I think the first success story came at the outset of these meetings where everybody around the table, FIBA, the NBA, EuroLeague, we all acknowledge that the current model does not necessarily provide maximum commercial opportunity for the European clubs," Comninos said.
"We have remained very consistent on what is very important for our environment. And again, it's no surprise when I say protecting the domestic leagues, protecting the national teams, playing with a unified FIBA set of rules, having access to the competition by, as I said before, pathways both through the second tier and through the domestic leagues, and securing a level of financial engagement for the wider basketball community, whether it's to support grassroots, whether it's to support development.
"So for us, these are key and instrumental elements in whichever pathway we want to drive forward. And I confess that these discussions we've had with the NBA have acknowledged these principles and have allowed us to then continue fruitful engagement," he added.
BCL seen as second-tier pathway to NBA Europe
Comninos also insisted that the Basketball Champions League remains viewed as a potential second-tier competition behind NBA Europe in the new ecosystem.
According to the proposed structure, the new ecosystem would include both licensed teams and open qualification pathways. Clubs could earn access to the top NBA Europe league through two routes: performance in the Basketball Champions League or a qualification tournament at the end of the season for teams that excel in their domestic leagues.
"Over the course of these years, a lot of discussions have been held. And what is public knowledge is that a structure down the road would see a top-tier competition operated by the NBA, in a partnership with FIBA. And right below, in a second tier, would be the Basketball Champions League, which would, of course, represent what we acknowledge as the open element of this new two-tier ecosystem," Comninos stated.
"The open pathway is twofold. One is via the Basketball Champions League, and the other is via a Qualification Tournament at the end of the season that would also allow teams that would perform at the highest level in their domestic competitions to have this opportunity to advance," he said.
EuroLeague clubs would have a place in the project
Asked whether one of the sticking points with EuroLeague concerns the number of teams receiving guaranteed places compared to those qualifying through domestic leagues or the Basketball Champions League, Comninos said FIBA's position has been clearly communicated.
He stated that all 13 licensed EuroLeague clubs would have a place in the proposed new ecosystem. He described the structure as a dual system, with access to NBA Europe available either through the acquisition of a license or through sporting qualification.
"I think it has been made very clear in our communication with the EuroLeague that all the 13 licensed teams of the EuroLeague have a place in this new ecosystem," Comninos said.
"And we look at this new ecosystem, as I've said before, as this dual structure that allows access into the NBA Europe environment through the acquisition of the license or through qualification.
"So I would say that the pathway is open. And this has been made very clear. Now, when it comes to obtaining a permanent license, there's a very specific process that is well known, well shared with the EuroLeague and its members. Some of them have already expressed interest in being part of that.
"But again, it's important for us to stress that this new environment is welcoming to all the teams. And we believe that this makes a lot of sense. It makes a lot of sense in terms of the values that I spoke about. It makes a lot of sense in terms of the financials that will be made available to this entire ecosystem. So we feel confident that as these discussions progress, this notion will be well shared by all," he concluded.
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