EuroLeague CEO Motiejunas comments on possibly adding an All-Star Game / News - Basketnews.com

Motiejunas was open to the idea of adding an All-Star Game if it became an event where the entire basketball community, including sponsors and the NBA, could get together at. He also welcomed suggestions about a possible partnership with the Summer League with open arms.

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

With the change in leadership in the EuroLeague, new ideas that could be implemented in the future started flowing. One of them - an All-Star Game between the best players in the tournament.

Some players supported the idea, others were against it. Now the newly-appointed CEO of the EuroLeague Paulius Motiejunas commented on the idea of bringing the festivities that are common in the NBA to the second-best league in the world.

"We had this idea but let's start with the play-ins. They've proved to be successful for the NBA and we'll try them out in the EuroLeague next year. Let's see what it brings. To have an All-Star Game? It's not something that's a successful event in Europe. I think many national leagues went away from this idea," Motiejunas told Dora Panteli during the International Show at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

However, the new head of the EuroLeague did not deny the possibility of an All-Star Game becoming a reality in the future, reminiscent of what the Final Four currently acts like.

"If we look at the All-Star Game and we can bring everybody together, even the NBA teams if they would come over, to socialize and share ideas, to have the sponsors and all basketball community together? Why not," he said.

A bunch of players and coaches from the EuroLeague are currently either competing in or visiting the Summer League. Asked whether a partnership between the Summer League and the EuroLeague is possible, Motiejunas pledged to explore the opportunity.

"I would love to do something together, I would love to look at the opportunities. It's the game of basketball and this is key. If we can increase the partnerships all around the world, it can only help the game of basketball and [be advantageous] for us to compete against other sports and other leisure activities that people can have," the CEO said.

After Panteli suggested that the EuroLeague could hold a summer league of its own or conversely send a team of EuroLeague talents to the NBA Summer League, Motiejunas was open to the suggestion.

"Everything is achievable. The question is how we find a gap between the schedules, national teams, and so on. I'm open to sit down and start talking, and see what we can do. If we can help the NBA and we can benefit ourselves, it's a great opportunity for both sides," he told. "If it's a win-win situation, we need to take a look at it. We should be open to all these ideas."

Full interview with EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas:

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