By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Departing Euroleague Basketball is an option for Panathinaikos Aktor, as illustrated by team owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos.
With stories on his Instagram account, he went on a rant, protesting the calls in Game 2 of a best-of-five series against Anadolu Efes.
“There is a saying in Greece that says when you are kind, they think you are weak. We are not weak, believe us! We are stronger than all of you together. Look at us”, he said on Friday morning, following a losing effort for the Greens in the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs on Thursday.
“You want my signature for the next ten years?” Play alone! We are going to the NBA or FIBA,” he continued, referring to the NBA Europe project as a potential option, instead of a long-term license with Euroleague Basketball. “You are inviting me to Istanbul on April 27 and 28 to sign for ten years? At some point, the rest should finally wake up. I’m not the problem, but your solution.”
Likely a subject to sanctions by EuroLeague Basketball, Giannakopoulos used vulgar language to counter such a possibility. “I don’t care about your fines. You can issue me a fine because you don’t care. But don’t punish [Kendrick] Nunn, [Kostas] Sloukas, [Ergin] Ataman, [Jerian] Grant, and Juanhcho [Hernangomez],” he said among other things.
Strong words extended to the president of Euroleague Basketball, Dejan Bodiroga. “Congratulations, Dejan,” he sarcastically addressed Bodiroga.
Giannakopoulos also talked about fellow Greek powerhouse and archrival Olympiacos. “In the same way that I defined the ending and your move to the second-tier division of Greece, I will define it this year as well,” he said.
“Why have [Sasa] Pukl and [Stefan] Radovic officiated so many Olympiacos games this season? Check the stats, even idiots can understand. I have understood for 15 years. Just like I understood what was happening with the money of [Jordi] Bertomeu. Wake up. I don’t understand how Real Madrid accepts being treated like this,” he went into the playoff series between the Reds and Real Madrid.