By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Euroleague Basketball CEO Paulius Motiejunas shared details on the lack of progress in the ongoing talks with the NBA about establishing a new top-tier league in Europe.
Besides the NBA-FIBA partnership and the well-documented expansion plans of the North American league, the 44-year-old Lithuanian executive talked to EL PAIS and Juan Morenilla about Euroleague Basketball returning to Israel and shared his excitement about future projects.
“We’re better than ever,” he started the interview, responding to a question about the financial status of the league. “The EuroLeague has increased its revenue by 45% over the last two seasons. We have new sponsorships. TV audiences have grown by 30% in five years, and last season, more than three million fans attended games, a record for the competition. We’re doing incredibly well. From a sporting point of view, expanding to 20 teams was a huge step. Anyone can beat anyone; there are no undefeated teams. That competitiveness is something we want to protect.”
Moving to NBA Europe plans, he noted the issues in ongoing talks.
“We’re still talking with the NBA. We’ll meet again and keep the dialogue going. But there’s a lot of frustration on our side, because no matter what proposal we put forward, they don’t seem willing to take any real steps. Even though I say we’re talking, there’s not much progress — they’re just following their own plan. The NBA says it’s going to launch its league; they’re already talking about cities and teams… From our point of view, that’s not the right path. We’re far from reaching any kind of agreement, so we’re focusing on ourselves — on growing. We’re not looking over our shoulder waiting for them to make a move. The EuroLeague has been doing very well for 26 years,” he said.
“As they’re presenting it, it’s bad news,” Motiejunas went on to project the effect on European basketball, “There’s no need for another competition. We already have four — this would be a fifth. With the right approach, they could help. But if things continue like this, the NBA will only harm European basketball.”
“Yes, and not only that,” he replied to a question about the possibility of two separate top-tier leagues, “It’s also about the history we’ve built. We can’t forget the great basketball markets and rivalries. We already have the biggest games that fans can experience in many countries. Another league would be difficult for fans to follow and understand.”
“They’re trying to attract some of our clubs and leave the rest out. That doesn’t work. We’ve been in those meetings and made proposals, but we’re not moving forward. The EuroLeague model is completely different. The NBA wants to build basketball around business; we build a business around basketball,” added Motiejunas.
“That will be their choice,” he addressed Real Madrid and FC Barcelona considering their options, including a potential move to the new league. “We’ve heard rumors that there’s a 500-million-euro license fee. That’s hard to understand.”
The recent developments with NBA Europe entering the field opened the newest installment in a lengthy exchange between Euroleague Basketball and FIBA.
“They have the national competitions, national teams, qualification windows… For now, it seems FIBA is trying to help us find common ground. I want to be hopeful — but I also doubt it will happen,” noted Motiejunas.
Russia and Israel
The experienced executive also talked about the suspension of Russian teams since the country’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Euroleague Basketball plan to return to Israel in December.
“We want peace to be achieved, for the war to end. Only after that can we address and analyze the situation. Right now, with so many restrictions, it’s almost impossible to even consider their return,” he confirmed the status of Russian clubs.
“Tel Aviv is safe,” he moved to the situation in Israel, citing EuroLeague outfits Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv and Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv. “We have two teams there, and the players tell us everything is calm. A bit further away, we’re monitoring the situation. The ceasefire is very fragile — we hope it holds.”
“We’re assuming it’s safe to play in Israel, but we’ll go to Tel Aviv to check again, to make sure it’s safe for players, coaches, referees, and fans. In their domestic league, games are being played in full arenas — everything is proceeding normally. We also understand that outside Tel Aviv, it’s really impossible. It’s hard to imagine total peace and calm, but as long as Tel Aviv remains safe, we hope to return,” he added.
“That’s why we’re taking things step by step,” he continued, referring to Valencia head coach Pedro Martinez expressing doubts, “There are different opinions and mindsets. Even Turkish teams aren’t playing in Turkey, and in Spain some games have been played behind closed doors… We’re trying to manage all these political tensions. We believe we must find a way forward. If everything is fine, we’ll go back to Israel.”
“Protect European basketball”
The Euroleague Basketball CEO also discussed the previous Final Four held in Abu Dhabi, and Dubai entering the participating field of the 2025-26 EuroLeague season.
“These are very successful markets,” he noted, “Abu Dhabi was one of the best Final Four hosts — great organization and passionate fans. Dubai is a newly created team, which is a great achievement. The EuroLeague will protect the European basketball mentality while bringing the game to new markets. That’s the path we’ve chosen.”
“We’ll continue to be the best competition in Europe — with or without the NBA. We have the best fans, the best teams, the best arenas,” he predicted the EuroLeague picture in five years. “If we protect basketball, everything will be fine. Last season, the EuroLeague was valued at one billion euros. Our goal is to triple that figure within five years. This season, our valuation has already risen by more than 50%.”