Euroleague is implementing a significant financial reform by transforming current licenses into permanent franchises, a move expected to generate around €400 million. This substantial sum will be distributed among thirteen shareholder clubs, with ASVEL in line to receive approximately €30 million. The process, starting July 1st, aims to increase the league’s and teams’ value by an estimated 25% and secure long-term participation for founding members.
The thirteen shareholder clubs currently include FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Baskonia Vitoria, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Fenerbahçe, Anadolu Efes, Žalgiris Kaunas, Armani Milan, Bayern Munich, and ASVEL. CSKA Moscow is currently excluded due to geopolitical reasons.
While existing shareholder clubs will not pay to become franchises, new teams looking to join the Euroleague from the 2027-2028 season onwards will face substantial “entry fees” estimated between €50 to €90 million per club. This is anticipated to generate another €400 million, which will also be allocated to the current shareholders. Euroleague CEO Chus Bueno highlighted that this franchise transformation is projected to automatically increase the valuation of these clubs by 30%.
Looking ahead, Euroleague plans to expand to 30 teams by 2028 or 2029. Regarding potential collaborations with NBA Europe, Bueno indicated that while direct merger of the two ongoing processes might be complex, continuous dialogue is maintained to avoid fragmentation and maximize value. He suggested that a partnership with European clubs possessing strong histories, values, and fan bases could be an efficient way for the NBA to raise capital and accelerate growth through collaboration.
