Bertomeu looks for reasons of his dismissal: 'We came out of pandemic better than any other sport' / News - Basketnews.com

Former EuroLeague CEO Jordi Bertomeu talked about an apparent silence from FIBA, Dubai's project in the EuroLeague, Dejan Bodiroga's arrival, the domestic leagues, and other topics.

Credit: Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

One of the most important European basketball figures, Jordi Bertomeu, was the special guest of the Spanish podcast Tirando a Fallar.

During an extensive interview, the European executive reviewed many of the key points of his time as Euroleague CEO, Dejan Bodiroga's arrival, the domestic leagues, the Dubai project in the EuroLeague, and many other topics.

Bertomeu confessed he would have loved to finish his project, which would have lasted for two more seasons.

"Our goal was to convert all the clubs into owners," Bertomeu said. "All 18 or 20 clubs would have the same rights and obligations. We wanted to incorporate the projects that would change basketball in Europe: Paris and London."

He also regretted that no one from the EuroLeague explained why he was dismissed from the CEO position.

"EuroLeague came out of the pandemic better than any other sport and already improved the numbers we had before. We had the highest budget in the history of European basketball," claimed Bertomeu.

Regarding the financial situation of the Euroleague clubs, the 63-year-old declared that the current sponsorship system is not sustainable in the long run.

"We would have liked to reduce the owners' contributions over the years because it is not sustainable to generate [such] losses and for a person or a company to cover them," argued the Spanish executive.

In the last weeks, there have been many reports about a new franchise in Dubai. However, Bertomeu believes many things must be resolved first.

"It could be a project that raises a question from the point of view of principles, but firstly many logistical and different other issues will have to be resolved. I don't know if it will come to this," he said.

Credit Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Regarding his replacement in the EuroLeague, Dejan Bodiroga, Bertomeu admitted he didn't contact the Serbian executive.

"I had no contact with him since he was a player, but there is no drama. He is one of my favorite players in the EuroLeague," Bertomeu said.

Asked about the relationship with the domestic leagues, Bertomeu defended that EuroLeague has to be linked with all the competitions.

"Nobody has ever shown that the growth of one goes to the detriment of another," Bartomeu said. "The ACB is in a great moment, just like the Euroleague."

"We also have never studied [a possibility of] playing on weekends in 22 years. I would have gone crazy," added Bertomeu.

One of the worst moments during his tenure occurred a few months ago when the EuroLeague suspended the Russian teams since the war began.

"It was a moment of great difficulty and pain, affected by the different political pressures in various countries," Bertomeu said. "We had to deal with the totally opposite reaction of Lithuanians and Serbians. The league has to defend certain values, ​​which cannot be doubted."

"It was something we had to do. I could not understand the hypocrisy of some by refraining from taking this decision", he added.

Regarding the conflict with FIBA and its windows, Bertomeu described it as "nonsense and lack of respect for the fans."

"We proposed up to four different calendars that allowed the teams to always have all their players, but we did not have any feedback from FIBA," Bertomeu claimed. "They are obsessed with doing the same what football does when it is not football."

Another topic in the interview was the possible creation of football's Super League. Bertomeu is confident it will end up being carried out "one way or another."

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