The Euroleague selects eight franchises from eleven candidates in Como

The Euroleague has reached the most significant moment in its competitive reconversion process. With a short list of candidates on the table, the competition reiterates a clear message to all applicants: spots are not awarded to the highest bidder. This Friday and Saturday, at Lake Como, the future of eleven projects that have already demonstrated sufficient solvency to advance in the selection process will be resolved.

The closed franchise system continues its development independent of what happens with the NBA, whose potential strategic alliance remains uncertain. The organization has received over two dozen binding proposals from clubs and investors in recent months, and now faces the uncomfortable task of dismissing candidates.

The eleven candidates that have passed the initial filter

The list of candidates that have met the requirements includes Valencia Basket, Virtus Bologna, Paris Basketball, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Red Star, Partizan, PAOK, Napoli, Dubai Basketball, London Lions, and Maxima Roma. Several of them are already competing in the Euroleague this season under a temporary license, so what they are truly playing for in Como is not access to the competition, but permanent consolidation.

In the last moment, four additional clubs have requested to enter the selection process: Hapoel Jerusalem, Aris Thessaloniki, Besiktas, and Zenit St. Petersburg, the latter under the condition that they be admitted when the conflict with Ukraine concludes. If the Euroleague accepts these last-minute candidacies, the funnel will narrow even further for the original candidates.

The evaluation criteria: sportsmanship above all

The first selection criterion is of a sporting nature. Before the finances, the court prevails. The Euroleague aims to measure the competitive level of each club, its historical trajectory, its organizational structure, and, above all, its ability to remain in the elite year after year. A brilliant economic project that cannot compete has no value: the declared objective is to raise competitive demands, not dilute them.

The organization examines each candidate's ability to maintain a sustained upper position. It’s not just about one-time investment, but demonstrating a solid structure that guarantees long-term competitiveness. The leaders of the Euroleague know that a project with limited resources but with ambition and structure can be more valuable than another with abundant capital but no competitive tradition.

Ownership, solvency, and reputation: the second line of analysis

The second evaluative block focuses on ownership and financial solidity. The Euroleague subjects all candidates to a second exhaustive due diligence audit, a thorough analysis that contrasts the information presented and detects potential risks. The goal is to ensure that there is real capital not just for one year, but to support million-dollar investments over a full decade.

The reputation of shareholders is equally decisive. The competition values the history, institutional credibility, and behavior both on and off the court. A new owner must be a reliable partner for the other twelve club owners, not a source of image issues or internal conflicts.

This ownership analysis goes beyond numbers. The Euroleague seeks long-term stability and real solvency. Investors must demonstrate that they have the financial capacity and the willingness to maintain their commitment for years, even in periods where sports results are not optimal.

Market, fan base, and growth potential

The fourth decisive factor is the market that each candidacy opens. The Euroleague analyzes the population of each city, the economic potential of the region, the ability to attract sponsors and fans, and the possibility of conquering new territories. London represents the clearest example of an uncharted market, while Italy, Greece, and France bring tradition and an already established fan base.

The fan base of each project is crucial. The competition seeks clubs capable of filling arenas, generating television audiences, sparking interest beyond their own city, and serving as engines for growth. Each new franchise must bring along followers that the Euroleague does not currently have, thereby expanding its fan base and media reach.

The potential for development is as important as the current situation. A club in a small city but with growth capacity can be more attractive than another in a metropolis with a saturated market. The Euroleague bets on projects that combine present solidity with future prospects.

The economic fee: important, but not decisive

The eleven binding offers from the final candidates amount to approximately 700 million euros. If the last-minute proposals are included, the figure could approach 1 billion. However, the Euroleague insists that the entry fee will not necessarily be the determining factor.

The competition maintains that the price must be proportional to the quality of the project and what each candidate brings to the whole. A high economic offer does not compensate for a weak sports project or an unattractive market. The evaluation is comprehensive: money is important, but it is not everything.

This stance marks a fundamental difference from other sports expansion processes. The Euroleague prioritizes building a stronger and more attractive competition over maximizing immediate income from entry fees.

The final evaluation process in Como

The second due diligence audit functions as a final exam. The sporting, economic, ownership, reputation, market, fan base, and growth capacity aspects intersect in a unique and holistic evaluation. Deliberations are already underway among the thirteen club owners, and the names of the eight chosen will be revealed at Lake Como.

This process is more rigorous than that of any other European competition. The Euroleague is not just looking for money but strategic partners who share its vision for the future. Each new partner must be capable of elevating the overall competitive level and expanding the global reach of the organization.

What Valencia Basket stands to gain

For Spanish basketball, the process has a specific name: Valencia Basket. The club from Torrent is the only candidate from the Liga Endesa on the list of eleven aspirants and aims to sit at the table where Real Madrid, Barça, and Baskonia currently hold ownership of the competition.

Passing the first cut does not guarantee anything, but it places Valencia Basket among the candidates with the highest chances of success. The club has a consolidated structure, its own arena, a loyal fan base, and is competing this season under a temporary license. These elements position it favorably in the comprehensive evaluation to be conducted by the thirteen owners.

For Spanish basketball, Valencia Basket's entry as an owner would represent a significant change in the governance of the Euroleague. It would expand Spanish representation beyond the two major Catalan clubs and the Basque team, diversifying decision-making power and bringing a new perspective from the Valencian Community.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La Euroliga elige ocho franquicias de once candidatos en Como