By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahçe Beko General Manager Derya Yannier answered questions from Alp Ulagay of Dünya Gazetesi, focusing in particular on the club’s budget, revenues, and broader European basketball developments.
Speaking about finances and income generation, Yannier said:
“At the moment, with our in-arena activities — pregame shows and in-game entertainment — we have become one of the standout examples in Europe. These game events are fully covered by sponsors and are organized at zero cost to the club. Last season alone, we generated more than €1 million in revenue just through Yellow.
We closed last season with a loss of €4–5 million. By the end of this season, our goal is to reach a break-even point. If we succeed, it will be the first time in the history of the basketball department that we finish a season without a loss.
For the past two or three years, I have been fighting for one issue: I do not believe the EuroLeague’s revenue distribution model is fair. Currently, the system is entirely based on local television agreements. In some cases, only one team receives that revenue, while in other countries two or three teams share it.
A club’s past sporting success, brand value, global visibility, and social media reach are not taken into account at all. Compared with global examples, this is a very outdated method. Local broadcasters also earn money by selling our games. If this system changes, Fenerbahçe will automatically receive more income from the EuroLeague. I hope we will gain additional revenue from there in the near future.”
Yannier also addressed the NBA Europe project:
“Regarding NBA Europe, Fenerbahçe has been at one of the most critical points of this process from the very beginning. Because we are one of the most important brands, everyone is knocking on our door. I consider it very valuable that the NBA is engaging with European basketball.
The ideal scenario would be a joint collaboration between the EuroLeague and the NBA. I hope a solution can be found where everyone meets on common ground — one that increases the number of star players competing in Europe and creates commercial growth.”