EuroLeague manager Andrea Bassani says EuroLeague working on 1st expansion from 16 to 18 teams
Bassani confirms that EuroCup will keep the 24-team format and Italy will have two spots (a third one is possible with a wild card)
EuroLeague manager Andrea Bassani was a guest of the tv show Pick and Roll.
Bassani confirmed that next season the EuroLeague will have the same format as this season, with 16 teams and 30 regular season rounds.
But from 2018-2019 ECA is working on an expansion to 18 teams.
“We are already working on an expansion, and I think it will happen, moving from 16 to 18 teams” Bassani said. “Season 2018-19 with 18 or 20 teams? I think that a season with 18 teams is more likely. Then we have to evaluate how the markets react. It is better to go step-by-step as we always did” Bassani added. “Wild card for next season? It is always a touchy subject. Darussafaka Dogus ended the two-year license with a wild card. A fifth Spanish team in EuroLeague is possible next season with Malaga in after the victory in EuroCup and if Valencia ends the ACB before the three teams with 10-year license (Baskonia, Barcelona and Real Madrid)” the manager added.
The Italian clubs will play again in EuroCup next season.
“We believe in the format with 24 teams. Italy has the rights to participate in EuroCup and from there we’ll see if they own the rights to have a second team in EuroLeague. Italy will have two spots in EuroCup and they might have a third one via wild card but it is too early to talk about” Bassani ended.
Bassani confirmed that next season the EuroLeague will have the same format as this season, with 16 teams and 30 regular season rounds.
But from 2018-2019 ECA is working on an expansion to 18 teams.
“We are already working on an expansion, and I think it will happen, moving from 16 to 18 teams” Bassani said. “Season 2018-19 with 18 or 20 teams? I think that a season with 18 teams is more likely. Then we have to evaluate how the markets react. It is better to go step-by-step as we always did” Bassani added. “Wild card for next season? It is always a touchy subject. Darussafaka Dogus ended the two-year license with a wild card. A fifth Spanish team in EuroLeague is possible next season with Malaga in after the victory in EuroCup and if Valencia ends the ACB before the three teams with 10-year license (Baskonia, Barcelona and Real Madrid)” the manager added.
The Italian clubs will play again in EuroCup next season.
“We believe in the format with 24 teams. Italy has the rights to participate in EuroCup and from there we’ll see if they own the rights to have a second team in EuroLeague. Italy will have two spots in EuroCup and they might have a third one via wild card but it is too early to talk about” Bassani ended.
E. Carchia
@Sportando
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