Paulius Motiejunas discusses relegation, financial fair play and geopolitics / News - Basketnews.com

EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas addresses financial fair play, ongoing negotiations with Dubai, geopolitical complexities, and Valencia's future in a comprehensive interview with AS.com.

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

EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas recently shared insights in an interview with Juan Jimenez of AS.com, addressing various aspects concerning the league's future.

Motiejunas first addressed the financial fair play within the EuroLeague, talking about the necessity for improvement.

"We are working on it," he noted. "We know that we have to improve and regulate how much clubs spend to acquire players. We know this is a time when great competition exists to obtain the best players: Japan and Australia have joined the NBA and the G-League. They are all fighting for the same players, which increases prices.

"There has to be a balance so that the best players can come without mismatching numbers. We are talking to the clubs. I think that little by little, we will have a control mechanism. One of my objectives is that the clubs do not lose money and that they are at least on par between what they spend and what they earn.

"There are different models of managing the clubs, but it seems fine to me. We are not going to demand that there be a single model and tell the clubs how they have to work," Motiejunas stressed.

Regarding the potential entry of Dubai into the EuroLeague, the Lithuanian executive revealed ongoing negotiations and a cautious approach towards assessing the feasibility and implications of such a move.

"We are still negotiating with them, and the organization is also talking to the clubs," he said. "We want to see it from a general perspective because it is a significant step for the EuroLeague. We have to see if we have the courage to do it and if it makes sense. We know that it is a different market and a different continent. We understand the complexity of the issue. That's why we are taking time. We don't have a decision yet.

"We will continue to analyze this situation," Motiejunas went on to say. "What we have said many times, this is the market where all sports are going: golf, tennis, martial arts. The NBA has been there, football. Everything is moving to that market. And we, as the EuroLeague, cannot close our eyes."

Credit Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/GettyImages

Addressing concerns over the geopolitical landscape, particularly with reference to Arab countries and Israel, Motiejunas delineated between political considerations and logistical challenges.

"We carefully analyze the situation. One thing is politics and another is the logistics of the teams. Travel, attendance, all those kinds of things because one is political and the other is for the teams. Maccabi is one of the issues, but not the only one," Motiejunas underlined. "It is a topic that is on the table to decide if we go in one direction or another."

When asked about the possibility of a team from Dubai joining the league next year (for the 2025-26 season), Motiejunas maintained a neutral stance.

"I say it's 50-50. It's too early to say that we will have the team."

Motiejunas also discussed Valencia Basket's EuroLeague participation for the following season since EuroCup champion Paris Basketball will be promoted to the league.

"ALBA Berlin, Virtus Bologna, one of the two teams from Belgrade, or Valencia will have to go down to the EuroCup because Paris will be there [in the EuroLeague]. Every club has a 20 percent chance of relegation," he said. "The teams are equal for us, and it will be the partners who make a decision. Valencia has played a great regular season and is also building a new, very attractive arena. It's incredible, a great step for the club. They are doing great things."

Motiejunas concluded by mentioning that the finalized list of teams for the 2024-25 EuroLeague season will be announced following the conclusion of the Final Four in mid-June.

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