By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Aziz Yildirim secured victory in the highest-turnout election in Fenerbahce SK history, defeating challenger Hakan Safi with 17,245 votes to 9,927, as announced on Sunday.
Following the sudden exit of former chief Sadettin Saran, the 73-year-old businessman takes over a compressed one-year term aimed at restoring order. Addressing thousands of passionate supporters, the veteran executive urged rival factions to unite.
“The winner is Fenerbahce, not Aziz Yildirim and his friends,” he declared. “Fenerbahce needs unity and solidarity. Division is wrong. We will not be angry with each other, but we will embrace each other.”
🗳 Sayın Aziz Yıldırım, Olağanüstü Seçimli Genel Kurul Toplantımızda aldığı 17.245 oyla Kulübümüzün Başkanı seçilmiştir.
🟡 Aziz Yıldırım: 17.245
⚪ Hakan Safi: 9.927 pic.twitter.com/EkxSR0PrDu— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) June 7, 2026
Fenerbahce Beko faced complications from the legal troubles of outgoing leader, Saran, whose actions effectively paralyzed the board and left the executive group gridlocked over whether to renew its long-term commitment to Euroleague Basketball. This initial hesitation, occurring alongside plans for a new top-tier European league backed by the NBA and FIBA, delayed the club’s formal commitment to EuroLeague competition.
Therefore, Yildirim’s campaign naturally targeted basketball operations, promising a significant budget increase and aiming for the EuroLeague crown next season. In a similar approach to the football division, he promised immediate actions, pledging major squad reinforcements within 15 days and guaranteeing fans, “Our word is our word. Championship.”
Concluding his emotional speech, he thanked the crowd for his commanding mandate. “You elected me today with over 17,000 votes in a congress with the largest participation in Fenerbahce history. I am grateful to you for this,” he stated, vowing to complete his ambitious objectives before his brief term expires next year.
Yildirim previously led the Istanbul-based club for two uninterrupted decades from 1998 until 2018, playing a foundational role in helping Fener capture their first EuroLeague title in 2017.
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