By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The EuroLeague has officially informed the NBA that legal action may be taken if discussions about a new project in Europe between the US league and clubs that have already committed to the EuroLeague for the next ten years occur.
According to Eurohoops sources, a letter was sent to the NBA by the EuroLeague last week, and all EuroLeague clubs currently holding an A license have been informed.
This move once more proves that the EuroLeague and the NBA are locked in a collision course unless something dramatic happens in the next few months.
Meanwhile, tomorrow there will be a remote meeting of the EuroLeague shareholding clubs with the main purpose of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Fenerbahce, and ASVEL deciding on the future, since they are the only shareholders left who have not yet signed the new licenses.
On Friday, the deadline that was decided by the EuroLeague shareholders expires for a full commitment by everyone to the joint future of the competition, so answers may be given in a few hours. However, it has to be noted that legally, according to the current contracts, the clubs can sign their new licenses until the 30th of June 2026, so it’s very hard to predict anything.
There’s optimism from the rest of the EuroLeague that Barcelona and Fenerbahce will be aligned with the rest of the shareholders sooner rather than later. Real Madrid is still an enigma, while ASVEL’s days in the EuroLeague seem to be ending.
Every case is expected to be treated differently, and in the case of ASVEL, there’s not expected to be any resistance by the EuroLeague in case the Tony Parker-led club wants out.
Meanwhile, the clubs that currently compete in the EuroLeague and don’t have an A license have sent a joint letter asking to be present in meetings about the future of the competition; however, it seems that they will not be part of tomorrow’s talks.