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Euroleague basketball expansion and franchise model

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2026-09-09 12:02 UTC → 2026-09-11 13:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Euroleague Basketball is transitioning toward a franchise-based model, with plans to expand from 20 to 24 teams starting in the 2027-28 season. This expansion aims to increase the league’s global value and commercial reach through the addition of up to eight new long-term franchises. Following a Board of Directors meeting in Barcelona, the league confirmed that 21 of the 24 spots are intended to be fixed, mirroring North American professional sports systems. Thirteen existing license holders, including Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Fenerbahçe, are set to retain their positions. The remaining spots will be filled via new franchises, wild cards, or EuroCup qualification. Currently, 11 candidates have been pre-approved for the next evaluation phase, having submitted binding offers totaling nearly 700 million euros in entry fees. Total projected investment for infrastructure and participation is expected to exceed 3.2 billion euros over the next five years, with JB Capital estimating the league’s total value could reach 4.3 billion euros by 2027. Pre-approved candidates include clubs such as PAOK, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Partizan, Roma Maxima, Virtus Bologna, Dubai BC, Paris, London Lions, Valencia, and Napoli. Additionally, Hapoel Jerusalem has submitted an initial framework proposal for a long-term franchise. As the process moves forward, club owners are expected to hold a pivotal shareholders’ assembly in early October, potentially near Lake Como, Italy, organized by Olimpia Milano. This meeting will address the transition toward the closed 24-team system and reportedly consider a potential partnership or proposal from the NBA, alongside the development of an ‘NBA Europe’ project. Recent developments indicate that if an agreement is not reached with the NBA regarding a potential takeover of the league, European clubs will proceed with the expansion to 24 teams.

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