Euroleague and Eurocup 2016/2017 structure agreed

Domestic leagues, clubs, along with Euroleague Basketball and IMG have approved the competition structure for the 2016/2017 Euroleague and Eurocup competitions. The representatives met in London over two sessions to set out the two elite European competitions for next season.

The ECA shareholders meeting fleshed out the competition structure, which was agreed upon by all domestic leagues, participant clubs, and the ULEB, aside from the Ligue National de Basketball, which did not agree. Considering the current landscape of Basketball in Europe, the Euroleague used the sessions to recommit to maintaining its position of giving clubs the right to choose where they play.

In a nod to the current fight with FIBA, the organization said that it is “continuing plans to grow the professional sport within the Euroleague Basketball/IMG Joint Venture, as well as working towards a collaborative framework with other organizations within the sport.”

The 16-club Euroleague will see the 11 A license clubs compete the Regular Season against teams from four domestic leagues (Adriatic League, German League, Spanish League and VTB United League) and the Eurocup champion (Galatasaray Istanbul). The A license clubs are FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Laboral Kutxa Vitoria Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos Athens, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Zalgiris Kaunas, Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Fenerbahce Istanbul, CSKA Moscow, and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.

The 2016/2017 Eurocup will be contested between three more entrants from the Adriatic League, VTB United League, and Spanish League, and two from the German League. Five wild cards will be selected between club requests from the ABA, Belgium, Italy, France, Lithuania, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The already agreed clubs joining the 24 team competition are AEK Athens, Hapoel Jerusalem, Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari, Dolomiti Energia Trento, Grissin Bon Reggion Emilia, Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius, and Stelmet Zielona Gora.