French, Italian clubs to play exclusively in FIBA competitions next season, FIBA says

FIBA and leading European national federations - France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, Spain and Turkey - met on Thursday in London to discuss the implementation of the Basketball Champions League.

The meeting, taking place under the leadership of FIBA Vice-President/FIBA Europe President Turgay Demirel and FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann, saw the attendees agree on the following important conclusions:

- National Federations support the joint project of FIBA and Domestic Leagues for the creation of the Basketball Champions League, which promotes sporting criteria, protects the domestic championships and strengthens the development of European basketball;

- France and Italy have confirmed that their clubs will participate only in competitions organised jointly by FIBA and Domestic Leagues. Others are expected to follow suit;

- National Federations confirmed their agreement with the conclusions of the Working Groups from the meetings of 7 January 2016 in Munich and look forward to the finalisation of their work at the end of this month.

The Working Groups will now proceed with the next steps in the preparation of the Basketball Champions League, including the set-up of a new company in charge of running and commercialising the new League.

The Basketball Champions League will be officially presented in Paris on 20-21 March 2016.


Olimpia Milano already signed the contract with Euroleague and they will play in Euroleague next season. The Italian Federation already gave them the permission to play in the top competition per clubs.