By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The president of Virtus Segafredo Bologna, Massimo Zanetti, added his team to the list of three-year deals presented by Euroleague Basketball.
“We have received a three-year offer together with Partizan and Crvena Zvezda,” mentioned the 77-year-old Italian executive during a press conference on Wednesday, “We are still negotiating the terms because the cost for these three years is quite high, but this is the situation.”
In addition to the Black V, Belgrade outfits Partizan Mozzart Bet and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet are considering a similar offer, as confirmed by Zanetti. Paris is also in talks for a three-year license, as recently noted by Euroleague Basketball Chief Executive Officer Paulius Motiejunas.
Euroleague Basketball extending contacts with newly-formed Dubai are connected directly to a potential expansion of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. The plan to grow the playing field to 20 teams and possible formats was presented to shareholders in February.
“There are a lot of talks right now about the NBA, but EuroLeague remains an important competition,” Zanetti said about the NBA Europe project and the status of the current premier club continental competition, and went on to place Dubai in the 2025-26 edition of the EuroLeague, “A lot of people watch it and there will be plenty of opportunities, since the team from Dubai will join next season.”
With two one-year licenses to be awarded via the BKT EuroCup and possible wild cards, the standing participants for the next EuroLeague campaign are licensed clubs, Anadolu Efes, Baskonia, FC Barcelona, Fenerbahce Beko, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos Aktor, Real Madrid, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, FC Bayern Munich, and Žalgiris.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net