By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Partizan Mozzart Bet president Ostoja Mijailovic has firmly pushed back against recent transfer rumors linking the Serbian powerhouse to multiple marquee names, explaining the reality behind EuroLeague market sensationalism.
In an interview with Serbian newspaper Kurir published Wednesday, the 47-year-old executive admitted that while the club does miss out on certain targets, the media frequently fabricates stories of failed negotiations. Addressing the public narrative surrounding available free agents like Lonnie Walker IV, Mijailovic clarified that rumors rarely reflect true board activity.
“Of course it happens,” he replied regarding missing out on some players, before adding, “But there is one thing that the public must know. Not every player that some portal writes that ‘in negotiations with Partizan’ was really in negotiations with Partizan.”
To illustrate his point, the black-and-white chief provided a concrete example involving guard Nick Weiler-Babb, who recently joined Belgrade archrivals and fellow EuroLeague outfit, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet.
“Nick Weiler-Babb was offered to us. We looked at the player and judged that he does not fit into our vision of the team,” he revealed, correcting the notion that they were outbid. “We didn’t send an offer, and we didn’t negotiate. That’s the whole story. It was the same with many other players. The portals connected us with dozens of names we never even contacted.”
Ultimately, the president expressed his frustration with media narratives painting his front office as ineffective whenever an alleged target signs elsewhere.
“Then, when the player signs for another club, the story comes out that Partizan ‘lost the race.’ That’s simply not true,” he stressed.
“I understand that headlines are made from it and that sensationalism sells news, but I don’t accept that based on fictitious negotiations, an image is created that Partizan is unsuccessfully doing its part,” he explained.
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