Baskonia president Querejeta defends Bertomeu, opens up on club's finances and Vildoza's case / News - Basketnews.com

Josean Querejeta, Baskonia's president since 1988, talked to El Correo about EuroLeague teams voting Jordi Bertomeu out, the league's expansion in Dubai, the club's budget, and the Basque side's claims against Luca Vildoza.

Credit: Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz president Josean Querejeta warned about the collision between EuroLeague clubs after the departure of Jordi Bertomeu.

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In an interview with El Correo, the Basque executive referred to the change of leadership in the EuroLeague management, as Bertomeu was replaced by Dejan Bodiroga and Marshall Glickman.

Querejeta essentially confirmed that Baskonia were one of the clubs that stood by Bertomeu's side until the end, despite efforts by six A-license holders to end the Catalan's term.

"There was a group of clubs that wanted Jordi to continue, while others wanted him to leave since they were upset about EuroLeague's future," the 67-year-old said.

"To me, it's outrageous to dispense with someone, who has a lot of knowledge and has managed to keep the EuroLeague together for 21 years."

Credit Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Querejeta also confirmed what FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis, said about EuroLeague clubs having different opinions about how the league should move forward.

"There were five teams that wanted Jordi to continue, and six that didn't. Right now, we are the minority. At this moment, there are two completely different points of view on the competition. I am not optimistic that there will be some kind of agreement," the former Real Madrid and Baskonia forward pointed out.

"We want to have a sustainable EuroLeague," Querejeta continued.

"Sustainability has been shown in football. Everything goes through the centralization of television and commercial rights, financial 'fair play', economic control, and owners not investing money that doesn't stem from the market.

For example, Khimki presented a short-term vision, which only had one millionaire who put up the money and who disappeared when his cash flow stopped. I believe in more sustainable projects with logical investments," Baskonia's president argued.

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38%10,9Points made:10,9Accuracy:37,6%Place in standings:2Record max:19Record min:6Most made 3FGs:Markus HowardTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Querejeta addressed the speculation about the EuroLeague trying to attract new investments in places like Dubai. The next couple of Final Fours will be held in Europe (Kaunas 2023, Berlin 2024), but the 2025 slot is still open, and a team from the Arab region might enter the competition in the near future.

"There are many speculations in the media, but to this day, there is nothing concrete," Querejeta replied.

Credit EuroLeague

"The only thing we have now in the EuroLeague is much higher expenses with advisors that weren't here before. More revenue? None."

In a recent podcast with Joe Arlauckas, acting EuroLeague CEO Marshall Glickman talked about creating a conference competition system in Europe. Querejeta says he's not particularly fond of the idea.

"If we go to a conference system and that means that the best clubs in Europe will not come to Buesa Arena, they will not have my support," he clarified.

"Right now, the competition needs new markets, which are defined. We would need teams in Paris or London and reach countries that can generate resources.

I believe in that, but not in saying that there are going to be many teams in the EuroLeague without thinking about which markets we land in. For example, Dubai. There is no concrete proposal of any kind," he revealed.

Even though Luca Vildoza ended up in Crvena Zvezda, Baskonia demanded financial compensation from the Argentinian player after his return to Europe. Querejeta said the dispute is ongoing, although the Basque club "cannot stop Vildoza from playing (with Crvena Zvezda)."

"In any case, the issue is being handled at court. At the time, we filed a lawsuit, and no agreement was reached after two acts of conciliation. Now, we are waiting for a trial date to be set.

Everything is clear: there is a signed contract with obvious conditions. It's not possible that you sign a contract with some conditions so that I let you go, and now, because you're not interested, you won't pay that money, which is two million euros," Querejeta stressed.

Credit Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Finally, the 2016 EuroLeague Executive of the Year revealed that the club is going to close the fiscal year 2022 with a small deficit of circa 20,000 euros.

"Clubs like ours, which are not in the hands of a great patron or a gigantic football entity such as Madrid or Barcelona, ​​have suffered a little more from the pandemic," Querejeta said.

"We have a budget of around 15 million, which is a good amount for us. Then there are those with 40 or 50 million, against which, in theory, it's difficult to compete. However, this year we are doing just that. It is also true that we will go through tough times because the season is very long," Baskonia's president concluded.

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