Giannakopoulos shakes up EuroLeague in Lake Como: 'Without CSKA, there is no real champion!'
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Beyond the official conclusions, the real stir was caused behind the scenes by a man who never fails to shake up European basketball. While the summit brought together official delegates from the 13 EuroLeague shareholder clubs, Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos made an unannounced appearance in Italy, despite not being on the official guest list according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Athens giants' chief took advantage of his trip to Lake Como to hold direct talks with long-standing allies and key European basketball figures, with his friendly meeting alongside CSKA Moscow president Andrey Vatutin drawing particular attention.
Why did certain clubs reject the NBA?
Shortly after the meeting concluded, Giannakopoulos took to social media to voice his unfiltered take on the proceedings. The Panathinaikos supremo delivered a blunt assessment of why certain EuroLeague powerhouses voted down the proposed collaboration project with the NBA.
"Certain teams were against the NBA expansion... The only logic behind that stance is either because they are well-treated today, or because they believe they wouldn't be selected to participate in the expansion... or both," Giannakopoulos wrote.
An unexpected guest at elite Lake Como summit
Giannakopoulos placed particular emphasis on the status of Russian clubs, which have been barred from EuroLeague competition due to the ongoing geopolitical situation. Despite CSKA Moscow being one of Panathinaikos' fiercest rivals for European supremacy over the decades, the Greek club's president believes the competition loses its true legitimacy without the Russian giants.
"What I would say, above all, is that CSKA must return. Despite our on-court rivalry, where we are fierce competitors, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, and CSKA are European basketball. Without them, there is no true European champion," Giannakopoulos asserted.
"Real, PAO, and CSKA are European basketball – without them, there is no champion!"
Giannakopoulos concluded by praising the organization of the summit in northern Italy, congratulating EuroLeague management on a well-run event and what he described as "top-class execution."
What lies ahead for the EuroLeague? By turning down the NBA proposal for now, the clubs reaffirmed their intent to retain full control over their competition and assets. Nevertheless, discussions over future expansion remain on the table, while pressure from key figures regarding the reinstatement of CSKA and other traditional powerhouses is set to fuel debate ahead of upcoming board meetings.
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