AEK owner reveals NBA bid to absorb and disband EuroLeague

While the prospect of NBA Europe has long hinted at a revolution in European basketball, some believe the impending shake-up could run far deeper than anticipated. Speaking to the Greek media on Thursday, AEK owner Makis Angelopoulos revealed the existence of a formal bid submitted by the NBA to the EuroLeague—a proposed merger and takeover that would effectively bring an end to the continent's premier club competition.

"There is definitely a formal proposal from the NBA to the EuroLeague. The offer is about absorption. A merger and absorption—the dissolution of the EuroLeague. The teams would all transition to the BCL [Basketball Champions League]. If this scenario goes through, there will be a delay. It can't happen in just one year. That is why I believe any eventual agreement will postpone investments," he stated.

Angelopoulos launched a scathing critique of the current model in European basketball: "If you get bought out, you shut down. The EuroLeague is the textbook definition of unfair competition in Europe. They don't give anyone room to breathe. People ask me why we don't play in the EuroCup. If I win it, I get €100,000 in TV rights, while others [EuroLeague shareholders] pocket €4 million just for being shareholders."

Reflecting on his club's past stint in the second-tier European tournament, Angelopoulos pointed out a severe lack of transparency in governance: "We played one year in the EuroCup. I asked them what the plan was, and they told me they were financially deadlocked. There was a solution on the table to bring in €70 million, but games would have had to move to the weekend. They wanted to settle for €35 million instead. I stood up and walked out. That tells you everything about their mindset. This complete lack of transparency bothers me deeply."

In contrast, the NBA-backed project offers fundamentally different commercial and sporting principles. "The NBA says it will open up 25 percent. Two pathways: the Champions League and domestic leagues. Every team will receive the same payout. Commercially, the EuroLeague is an absolute failure. They failed to tap into major new markets, like London. The NBA is stepping in to unlock real commercial value. Funneling money solely to the core 11 clubs didn't work because the NBA doesn't believe in stagnant waters," he explained.

Regarding the competitive format, the American league's blueprint outlines a phased expansion. "The NBA will initially issue 12 licenses. At the end of year three, they will add three more, and another three after year six, capping it at 18. When did the EuroLeague ever think about creating franchises? Only after the NBA showed up. The EuroLeague tried to rescue itself in the Gulf [Dubai Basketball], which is a clear admission of failure. The NBA maintains that all licenses will stay in Europe, with rosters structured around seven foreign players and five homegrown talents."

Finally, Angelopoulos addressed the financial disparities and regulatory issues. "Our EuroLeague clubs pay salary cap penalties. Some who oppose a salary cap in Greece gladly accept one in the EuroLeague. Mark Tatum [NBA Deputy Commissioner leading the NBA Europe project] told me that the NBA's greatest achievement is having eight different champions in recent history," Angelopoulos concluded.

A pivotal summit between the NBA and EuroLeague stakeholders is scheduled for October 5 at Villa d'Este in Cernobbio, Lake Como. Major developments are anticipated from the meeting, where EuroLeague club owners expect the NBA to lay out a decisive proposal that could involve acquiring part or all of the EuroLeague, unveiling the NBA Europe expansion blueprint, and mapping out the transition of clubs between competitions.