By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet and Partizan Mozzart Bet have received formal invitations from the Euroleague to become permanent franchise members, according to separate reports from Serbian outlet Meridian Sport on Monday.
Signaling a monumental shift for Serbian basketball through the Belgrade giants, this initiative aligns with a newly adopted system aimed at transforming current license holders into long-term franchise stakeholders starting next season. Both clubs have aggressively pursued elite status for years, leveraging their passionate fan bases, historic significance, and world-renowned home-court atmospheres to secure a permanent seat at Europe’s top table.
The invitations represent a strategic victory for the leadership of both organizations. Zvezda’s management, led by president Zeljko Drcelic, successfully concluded fruitful discussions with competition executives, formally securing a long-term EuroLeague franchise license during the decisive meetings in early July. Concurrently, Partizan’s administration, headed by Ostoja Mijailovic, finalized its own permanent membership status, achieving its ultimate competitive ambition of long-term European stability.
This restructuring serves as a foundational step for the Euroleague’s broader strategic vision, which includes expanding into new franchises and major economic markets by the 2027–28 season. By securing both Belgrade rivals as permanent fixtures, the competition stabilizes its core identity while rewarding the immense cultural and competitive value that Serbian basketball brings to the international stage. What once seemed like a distant dream for local sports fans is rapidly materializing into a permanent reality, ensuring that the fierce Eternal Derby remains a premium, long-term fixture of the top-tier level in the Old Continent.
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google