By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos called for CSKA Moscow’s return to the EuroLeague and criticized clubs opposing closer ties with the NBA in two Instagram messages.
Posing alongside CSKA president Andrey Vatutin, Giannakopoulos questioned the motives of teams against the proposed expansion involving the NBA.
“Some teams were against the expansion to the NBA. The only logic behind this opinion is either that they are well treated today, or because they believe they will not be chosen to participate in the expansion… or both,” he wrote.
He also argued that CSKA’s return should be a priority, pointing to the Russian club’s place in European basketball alongside Real Madrid and Panathinaikos.
“What I will comment on is that, before everything else, CSKA should be back because, despite the rivalry on the court, where they are great contenders, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos and CSKA are European basketball. Without them, there is no real European champion.”
Giannakopoulos concluded that post by congratulating EuroLeague management on the event, describing it as “top class.”
In a separate Instagram story, he addressed players, coaches, fans, owners and European basketball management, urging them to find a common solution regarding NBA investment.
“All together, we have turned the sport we love into a competition where the NBA — I repeat, the NBA, the top league in the world — wants to invest and make the EuroLeague part of its world,” he wrote.
“With huge respect, but also pride in what we have finally achieved, without Jordi, we must find a solution together.”
Giannakopoulos then singled out Olympiacos and other clubs, accusing them of standing in the way of the sport’s growth.
“Positions like that of Olympiacos today and a couple of other teams show no interest in expanding the sport of basketball. They still believe that success is how much money you lose at the end of the year. Basketball is not a rich boys’ toy.”
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google