Bartomeu Shoots Down 'NBA Europe' Dreams: "This is Unrealistic, EuroLeague Clubs Don't Have That Kind of Money!"

"In my opinion, the valuation estimates at that level don't align with the reality of basketball in Europe. If such a thing were even feasible, the immediate consequence would be an almost complete replacement of current club owners with new investors. It's clear that the existing clubs lack the capacity to meet those valuations. Also, it remains to be seen whether football clubs are prepared to invest such significant money into their basketball sections. If the answer is yes, then the investment would pay off over a very long term. We must bear in mind that sports are extremely dynamic and the sports industry changes rapidly, so forecasts over such a long period carry an enormous degree of unpredictability," Bartomeu stated.

"The EuroLeague always had a clear vision that basketball needed to move beyond its traditional confines. Although we didn't succeed, it's worth remembering that in the first two seasons, we had a team in London. Later, we brought Turkey into the fold as a top-tier market, and soon after, I personally went to invite Bayern Munich even before they entered Germany's top league," Bartomeu reminisced.

"France has always had a tradition, even if it hasn't achieved top sporting results at the club level. Progress has been made in France and Germany, but not in Great Britain or the Scandinavian countries, while Italy no longer holds the weight it once did in European basketball. The causes vary from country to country, but it's clear that Great Britain is an extremely saturated market that requires a special strategy. A clear medium-term and long-term plan is needed, as well as an investment program that would position the EuroLeague within the broader entertainment offerings for Britons," Bartomeu concluded.