The top official of FIBA, Andreas Zagklis, has shared details about an ambitious project for a new European basketball competition, described as the "biggest investment ever made in our sport" on the continent. The plan aims to democratize access to elite leagues and ensure fair revenue distribution, even for teams without a permanent spot.

Zagklis, who attended the NBA finals, highlighted the importance of national leagues and the Basketball Champions League (BCL) within this new framework. According to the plan, teams qualifying for the main competition will receive the same initial and performance-related revenues as permanent franchises. "It's a right you earn," he stated, emphasizing that this will attract investments for both franchises and clubs competing annually in national leagues and the BCL.

The Secretary General used Unicaja as an example to illustrate the need for stability and opportunity. "We must ensure that if you support, for example, Málaga, Unicaja has the opportunity to play in the top league; they played in the EuroLeague, were shareholders, and one day, due to a decision Unicaja was not part of, they were no longer in that top league," Zagklis explained, implicitly criticizing the lack of transparency in past decisions.

The new competition, targeted to launch in October 2027, includes a qualification system that will involve not only BCL teams but also top finishers from national leagues through playoff tournaments. "If you have a good team, even without a permanent license, you can play every year. It's very possible and directly linked to sporting merit," assured the Greek executive.

Zagklis also discussed the format, mentioning the study of a postseason and a "very inclusive" calendar that will respect national championships and international breaks, ensuring the availability of top players. FIBA will host a summit in the autumn with all stakeholders to advance this project, which is no longer considered "theoretical" but is in the operational preparation phase.