By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague is expected to make important decisions regarding club licenses at its upcoming April 14 meeting, with the status of Fenerbahce, Real Madrid, and ASVEL among the key items on the agenda
According to Eurohoops sources, the league will evaluate the current licensing situation of the three clubs, which have not yet signed the new ten-year contracts, while also exploring the possibility of granting new long-term licenses.
Expansion is also expected to be discussed, with several EuroLeague teams that are not shareholders emerging as main candidates to secure a more stable, long-term status within the competition.
Paris Basketball and Hapoel Tel Aviv have already initiated negotiations for long-term licenses, while all teams currently holding three-year contracts are also interested in securing more stable status within the competition.
In addition, several clubs — including Napoli, Hapoel Jerusalem, Besiktas, and PAOK — have expressed interest in joining the EuroLeague, although none have yet made a formal offer regarding a license.
Financial considerations are also playing a key role in the process. According to JB Capital, the valuation of EuroLeague clubs ranges from €50 million to just over €200 million, a factor that is expected to influence ongoing negotiations.
After all, the plan presented by the new CEO Chus Bueno is to change the current corporal structure of the EuroLeague and turn the clubs into franchises.