Panathinaikos reportedly leaving EuroLeague

Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos will leave the EuroLeague and plans to join a FIBA competition, according to sport24.gr.

Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos left the ECA meeting prior to its conclusion, the EuroLeague announced today in a press release.

Following from the release:

The Board also reviewed the recent public statements made by Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens’ owner, Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos, including the dossier he recently shared with numerous media outlets across Europe. All clubs present with the only exception of Panathinaikos, unanimously and strongly agreed that such statements are of the highest severity and cause damage to the EuroLeague – the competition property of the ECA Shareholders, with these condemning Mr. Giannakopoulos’ behaviour, requesting him to stop his public statements immediately. Clubs unequivocally reminded Panathinaikos and its owner about the existing internal processes that must be followed to express any discrepancies or questions, as have been repeatedly defined and approved by all the Shareholders, including Panathinaikos. All Clubs also expressed their ultimate respect towards Panathinaikos as a historic and iconic institution in European club basketball and sports, and a fellow ECA Shareholder. Mr. Giannakopoulos requested the other ECA Shareholders present to instruct the Euroleague Basketball CEO to amnesty the arena prohibition sanction that is currently in place. The clubs unanimously rejected this request, after which Mr. Giannakopoulos unfortunately left the meeting prior to its conclusion.