EuroLeague in Dubai: who's behind it, what's on the table and what are the risks? / News - Basketnews.com

Djordje Djokovic, a brother of Novak Djokovic, and Dejan Kamenjasevic are mentioned among the main accelerators of the EuroLeague expansion to Dubai.

Credit: EuroLeague Credit EuroLeague

EuroLeague shareholders returned from an unexplored ground that might skyrocket the growth of the competition with hopes and questions over the future of the competition.

Despite many rumors surrounding Dubai's trip, it was more of a presentation type of meeting with no critical strategic decisions or agreements.

Dubai's project representatives had a presentation for all the ECA shareholders with their vision of bringing basketball to one of the wealthiest markets in the world.

CSKA Moscow members were also there, but their potential to return to the EuroLeague wasn't discussed.

A well-respected Greek journalist Antonis Kalkavouras of Gazzetta reported that investors from Dubai are offering €50-60M for three main conditions:

EuroLeague wildcard for a team from Dubai; EuroLeague naming sponsor rights (Emirates Airlines EuroLeague); Rights to host the Final Four in Dubai's Coca-Cola arena for three consecutive years from 2024 to 2026.

Some BasketNews sources suggest the total pool that EuroLeague could reach from the cooperation with Dubai could be way more significant. That would include sponsorship, TV rights, license fee, etc.

According to BasketNews sources, Djordje Djokovic, a brother of Novak Djokovic, is also behind this commercial project connecting the EuroLeague with Dubai.

Some others claim talks about the money pool are premature since any numbers were presented in Dubai's meeting.

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