Luka Doncic's Roma presents an offer for the eight new Euroleague franchises

The Euroleague faces an unprecedented selection process. BC Roma SPQR, led by Luka Dončić, has submitted its binding candidacy to access one of the eight new franchises that the European competition plans to award at its upcoming shareholders' meeting. This submission represents a significant milestone in the strategy for continental expansion of professional basketball.

The arrival of the Roman bid has multiplied interest in the expansion process. Currently, there are 14 projects competing for the eight available spots. Rome focuses on two distinct candidacies: BC Roma SPQR and Roma Maxima, which had already been among the candidates before the meeting held in Como. This duplication of Italian options underscores the appeal that the Italian capital represents for investors in elite European basketball.

The postponed decision and growth plans

The submission of the BC Roma SPQR bid was decisive for the Euroleague owners not to announce new franchises after the meeting in Como. The shareholders confirmed their intention to expand the competition to 24 teams starting from the 2027-28 season, but decided to postpone the final awards while they review all candidacies in greater depth. This deliberate approach allows the board to evaluate each project according to rigorous criteria of financial and operational viability.

The expansion of the Euroleague to 24 teams represents the most ambitious transformation of its structure in decades. The expanded format will allow the incorporation of new European markets and consolidate the competition's position as a global reference. The current 13 shareholders of the ECA will maintain their positions, and their ten-year licenses will automatically become perpetual franchises. The eight new franchises will be added to this established core.

A competitive landscape with prominent candidates

The list of candidates reflects the magnitude of the expansion project. In addition to BC Roma SPQR and Roma Maxima, the following compete for the spots: Red Star, Dubai, Hapoel Tel Aviv, London Lions, Napoli Basket, PAOK, Paris Basketball, Partizan, Valencia, Virtus Bologna, Hapoel Jerusalem, and Aris. This roster includes clubs with historical backgrounds in European competitions, emerging projects with significant investment, and candidacies from geographically strategic markets.

The diversity of candidates' origins demonstrates the global reach of the initiative. From the capitals of Eastern Europe to Asian markets, through the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, the Euroleague aims to establish itself as a truly continental platform. Each candidacy represents not only a team but also an ecosystem of investment, infrastructure, and fan engagement that supports long-term viability.

The role of the Board of Directors in the final selection

The owners have tasked the Board of Directors with thoroughly analyzing all bids and presenting a final recommendation for approval in the coming weeks. This review process includes assessments of financial solidity, management capacity, available infrastructure, and the potential for basketball development in each territory. The board’s recommendation will be put to a vote among current shareholders, who will have the final authority to ratify the new franchises.

The tight timeline reflects the urgency to solidify the competitive structure before the 2027-28 season. Decisions must allow the new teams to prepare their operations, build rosters, and establish relationships with their local communities. The Euroleague seeks to ensure that the transition is orderly and that each new franchise has sufficient time to integrate properly into the competition.

Strategic implications of the expansion

The expansion to 24 teams will substantially alter the structure of the Euroleague. The format will allow for an increase in the number of games, improve the geographical distribution of teams, and strengthen the commercial appeal of the competition. Additionally, it will facilitate the incorporation of markets with great potential for growth in European professional basketball, which could translate into higher revenues from TV rights and advertising investment.

The candidacy of BC Roma SPQR with Luka Dončić as a figurehead represents a model of an ambitious project. The presence of an internationally relevant figure in the structure of the candidacy underscores the level of aspiration of the promoters and their confidence in the project's viability. Such endorsements enhance the credibility of the proposals in the eyes of investors and European fans.

The selection process will continue in the coming weeks, with the Board of Directors analyzing each candidacy according to previously established criteria. The shareholders of the Euroleague will make the final decision, which will shape the competition's future until at least 2035, when the first cycle of expanded franchises expires. The expansion to 24 teams will consolidate the position of the Euroleague as the premier basketball competition in Europe and open new opportunities for clubs, players, and investors across the continent.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La Roma de Luka Doncic presenta oferta para las ocho nuevas franquicias de Euroliga