EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno believes a merger with the NBA, combining EuroLeague franchises with the dozen or so teams the NBA plans to include, would be an ‘ideal scenario.’
EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno shared his thoughts on the future of the EuroLeague and potential collaboration with the NBA in an interview with Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
Bueno revealed that the EuroLeague is open to any scenario at this moment and is ready to discuss the future with the NBA.
He said that a merger between the NBA and the EuroLeague, creating one giant league combining NBA franchises with the dozen or so EuroLeague teams, would be an “ideal scenario.”
He is also open to the NBA buying the EuroLeague, with the leagues coming together as a result of that transaction.
“We think that everything is on the table,” Bueno said. “And I know what the NBA brings to the table, and I know that the NBA would like to operate (a league). And let’s have a discussion. If it makes sense for the teams, why not?”
“You’re going to hear this from me. If it makes sense, why not? And this makes sense. Everything is on the table. But it has to make sense – business reasons, basketball reasons, and I think it’s (too early) to define because I want to hear from the NBA first. But we are open to any scenario,” he noted.
The EuroLeague’s plan for its future, pushed by Bueno and approved by its board, includes transitioning its 13 core members from renewable licenses to permanent franchises, with plans for expansion.
Bueno revealed that the league could add another five franchises within the next three years, with seven teams and one city already expressing interest.
Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images
In the interview, the new EuroLeague CEO also discussed the league’s connection with FIBA, noting that the EuroLeague is already building its relationship with the organization, which is partnering with the NBA on its European league.
“If they come, our recommendation to all the clubs is: sit down all together and have a conversation with the NBA and investors and everything that they have to the table,” he said.
“Sit down, trying to see how we can merge, partner, you name it, put the name and create the best basketball ecosystem and the best league possible. Because what I believe is that if we have two colleagues appearing on fragmentation, one team here, one thing there, it is not going to be good for anyone.”
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