By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
A note on the presentation of the NBA project in Geneva to EuroLeague clubs may further complicate a possible collaboration among all parties involved.
Per Eurohoops sources, the NBA clarified beyond any doubt that the NBA Europe project will not include any teams from countries outside Europe with the exception of Israel.
This means that Dubai BC, which is expected to join the EuroCup or the EuroLeague next season, is already excluded from the new project, despite the NBA’s existing collaboration in the region with Abu Dhabi, which has brought pre-season games to Etihad Arena.
With EuroLeague shareholders expected to vote on the possible expansion of the league to 20 teams, which may also include Dubai BC, the NBA’s position creates one more conflict with the current EuroLeague plans.
It remains to be seen if this is a point that can change in the future, or if the NBA has separate plans for the Middle East, which are not aligned with the current expansion strategy of the EuroLeague.
It has also to be noted that in the past, FIBA opposed the idea of Dubai BC entering the EuroLeague on the basis that the local basketball authorities are not part of FIBA Europe, but belong to FIBA Asia.