By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
One of Maccabi Tel Aviv‘s owners, Danny Federman, talked to ONE about discussions between EuroLeague and FIBA, and the chances of Dubai being integrated into the European top competitions.
Federman participated in discussions with FIBA aimed at finding solutions for the betterment of European basketball.
“There are discussions with FIBA in which we participate, and I have the privilege of being part of the team that talks with them. I can’t elaborate much further; this is the nature of the conversations. A few people sit in a room and try to find solutions for European basketball and how to improve it,” Federman said.
Russian teams are still out of the EuroLeague, and there have even been talks of Dubai potentially joining.
“Regarding CSKA, there’s not much to talk about. It’s not up to them, and it’s not up to us. It depends on the leaders. Dubai is a topic that has come up recently. I mentioned three parameters, and they fall within the context of the market, which is very interesting for EuroLeague to explore in this region of the world. I believe there’s still a not-so-short way until a team from there materializes. I don’t think it’s impossible; it’s possible, but there’s a bit of a journey ahead.”
There were speculations that former player and GM of Maccabi, Nikola Vujcic, could take a role within Dubai, but Federman doesn’t believe in those stories. Neither does he see Vujcic potentially returning to Tel Aviv.
“In my opinion, Nikola will not return to Maccabi, but never say never. I think when you step out of this loop and start to breathe a bit and enjoy life, and do things you love in the same field, basketball, and he’s there, it’s a bit difficult to return to this grind. Because it’s a grind, we’re all in one big crazy family, all of us. You too are a bit in it, and my white hairs are from there. I don’t know, I really like Nikola, I have a very high regard for him, it was sad for me when he left, definitely.”