The CEO of the Basketball Champions League, Patrick Komninos revealed that his new organization NBA It will come to Europe in 2026.
Patric Komninos spoke to the press representatives after the awards given to the top season in the Basketball Champions League and announced that the NBA Europe will come in 2026!
As Patrick Komninos pointed out, FIBA works on two trails, wishing to bring the biggest body of European basketball to the new event.
Indeed, he said that the Basketball Champions League will continue to exist, with FIBA now taking the big step to launch its league with the help of the NBA.
The statements of Patrick Komninos:
“We had the least time to prepare Final 4. In the first phase we had Paris as a first choice, but because of the political situation it changed. We learned the host city at the end, as the AEK-Nader series went to Game 3. I am proud to have seen the BCL team responding. Next year we will be in the 10th season of the event and announce the Final 4 city faster.
It’s an opportunity to talk. I know you have questions. I would say that the season ends with 2 games. It is a great experience to consolidate. We have overcome television problems and continue to evolve. It is in the DNA of the event to integrate all the European basketball ecosystem. We want to deliver something to the public. We are excited about what comes. We want to celebrate the 10th season in a great way. We are already looking at our 10th season in the event. “
For the BCL development plan: “We work on two different paths. The new NBA Europe event will come in 2026. FIBA wants to have the largest body of European basketball. Our thought is to develop an ecosystem that will not only be for a few groups. Basketball is not played by a dozen teams, but by hundreds of teams and we want to have them with us. We offer our fans values. No doubt is the second most popular sport. We want to continue to develop BCL and help complete the NBA Europe product. “
For how BCL will grow: “The BCL will not disappear. It will continue to develop and play a decisive role. Growth is the key word. For the last 9 years we have continued to do this and believe in the new ecosystem. We will continue to believe in the universality of basketball. We want the leagues to evolve. There are federations that organize championships and are partners. We want the good of the teams and we will be a guardian, allowing groups to dream. This is the way to invest and have the opportunity to dream by playing high. This is doing this by BCL and I am happy because we are consistent in what we have said. We need to protect national championships and national teams. BCL will continue to grow will increase interest. “
For the credibility of the event and the importance of teams in the presence of teams such as Alba Berlin: “In recent years we have seen many transcripts in our BCL and our hikogenesis. Tomorrow in the final we have 2 teams competing in the Euroleague. Malaga and Galatasaray have made the transition and have benefited from the concept we have put on the table. What the BCL offers and what FIBA offers. BCL is very competitive. We have seen teams such as Tenerife and Malaga who have played high in their competitions.
This is recognized by the teams that our ecosystem presents an environment to balance in national and international championships. We are not competitors of the championships, we want to help. This is also the role of FIBA. I believe that groups such as Malaga, Galata, and Alba Berlin recognize this job and have become a change in our event. When they come in such an environment everyone understands change. FIBA is the leader of this change and helps with it. It gives the teams the best opportunity. In the recent past teams such as Malaga, Galatasaray. Rita saw the job towards change and what BCL and FIBA represents. This is what they see and become members of our community. “
For the financial stability of the event: “In the future we can present better conditions in the financial. The NBA’s ability in this piece, which is doing very well, will help our own ecosystem and reach the high standards that exist. The product is at a very high level and we see it in the parquet. This is impressive. We see the numbers of the teams and in the Euroleague in our own ecosystem. Our mission is to work with experts to be in the right direction .. We want the BCL to be at a high level in the future and we want to work with teams that are competitive in their competitions. “
For the presence of Italian groups: “The teams collect points and represent their country. The Italian teams did a great job, in previous years it was not so good. If I remember correctly they didn’t arrive after the first round. This can be improved in the future. We have discussions with Lega Basket, we have a very good relationship with the league and we will discuss as the season progresses. We will discuss the future of the event with the Italian league. “