By Eurohoops / info@eurohoops.net
Ettore Messina, head coach and president of basketball operations at Olimpia Milano, has weighed in on the growing discussions surrounding the NBA Europe project, offering a candid assessment of both the opportunities and the challenges facing European basketball today.
Speaking to reporters this week, Messina emphasized the significance of Olimpia Milano’s potential involvement in the NBA’s European expansion plans. “The fact that Olimpia Milano is an important target for NBA Europe is significant for the owners, the city, and the history of the club,” Messina said.
While acknowledging the prestige of the EuroLeague, Messina drew attention to the league’s underlying financial and structural strains. “In the EuroLeague, we have a very high-quality product, with the level of play second only to the NBA playoffs,” he noted. “But when you read that Real Madrid loses $38 million for a season and you find yourself with low player turnover, you realize you have a serious economic problem.”
Messina’s comments underline a long-standing issue within European basketball: the struggle to balance competitive excellence with financial sustainability. Despite attracting global talent and audiences, EuroLeague clubs often face mounting losses, and the absence of a unified commercial model has hindered long-term growth.
The Italian coach also voiced concern about the current intensity and physical toll of the basketball calendar. “It’s great to have 20 teams, but so far there have been 60 injuries since the start of the season. These things cannot continue,” Messina warned. “We need a model that can bring together sporting and economic needs and a harmonized calendar. We are open to any proposal, then the owners will decide what to do.”