Crvena Zvezda President on NBA Europe Talks and Player Discipline

President Zeljko Drcelic confirmed that Crvena Zvezda is in talks with the NBA about a possible NBA Europe league. He stressed that any agreement must guarantee Serbian clubs a clear role and franchise rights, noting the club’s priority remains securing a long‑term EuroLeague licence and the associated TV and commercial revenues.

Drcelic also recalled an informal “gentlemen’s agreement” with NBA forward Nikola Vucevic, saying the door remains open for the player to join the club if he is not under an NBA contract. He added that the club is aware of rivals with much larger budgets and reiterated its ambition to reach the ABA League final‑four while maintaining realistic goals.

Former Crvena Zvezda player Filip Petrušev, now playing in Dubai, described the strict disciplinary system imposed by former coach Duško Ivanović. He said every player had to sign a detailed rulebook covering training attendance, dress code and conduct, with monetary fines for violations. Petrušev argued that under those rules, former NBA player Džabari Parker would have been sanctioned had he remained with the team. He noted that a similar system exists in Dubai.