By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Ettore Messina, a four-time EuroLeague champion who recently returned to the NBA in a consulting position at the Atlanta Hawks, talked about several topics at the second edition of the European Basketball Advisory Group Business Conversations.
An authoritative voice in global basketball, the 67-year-old Italian coach opened up to EBAG about his return to North America, the systemic challenges plaguing European hoops, and the structural limits of governance.
His insights arrive amid the shadow of potential NBA expansion into the Old Continent.
NBA Europe threat
Back in the NBA after a seven-year absence provided a reminder of how fast North American operations evolve. Yet, his primary concern rests on how this commercial engine interacts with a fragile European ecosystem, warning that unilateral expansion by the NBA could fracture an already volatile market.
“If the NBA launches its own league in Europe without an agreement with the EuroLeague, while the Basketball Champions League also continues, fragmentation will become an even bigger problem. We need to find a balance,” he cautioned, strongly advocating for strategic synergy over institutional warfare.
“If the NBA and EuroLeague can eventually reach an agreement, one of the most important things will be to preserve the soul of the competition we have in Europe,” he added. “My hope is that EuroLeague and NBA Europe can find a way to come together around one common league.”
NBA versus Europe
When contrasting an NBA franchise with a leading European club, Messina points directly to a foundational difference.
“The NBA decided many years ago to create a common economic pie and then determine how that pie should be divided, including with the players,” he mentioned. “We cannot simply talk about a salary cap in Europe.”
The Catania native also visited broader issues in Europe, including packed calendars and player development rights. To begin the conversation, he discussed his decision to join the Hawks and work alongside Quin Snyder, who previously served as his lead assistant at CSKA.
“I was looking for something that would allow me to continue working in basketball while waiting for a new opportunity to coach,” he explained.
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