Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos addressed the future of European basketball on Friday in Badalona, detailing how the league could fit into a potential new structure involving the NBA and FIBA.
Speaking before the championship game between AEK Athens and Rytas Vilnius, Comninos noted that discussions over recent years have pointed toward a future setup where the NBA operates a top-tier competition in partnership with FIBA, with the Basketball Champions League occupying the second level.
“A lot of discussions have taken place over these years. It is publicly known that a future structure would see a top-tier competition operated by the NBA in collaboration with FIBA,” Comninos said. “Directly below, in the second tier, the Basketball Champions League would be positioned.”
He emphasized that qualification for the top level would remain based on sporting merit rather than permanent membership.
“The open pathway is twofold,” he explained. “One is through the Basketball Champions League, and the other is via a Qualification Tournament at the end of each season.”
Comninos also stressed that protecting domestic leagues and national team basketball remains a core priority for the BCL.
“It is no surprise when I say: protect domestic leagues, protect national teams, play under a unified FIBA rule set, and provide access to the competition,” he stated.
The BCL executive added that European competitions should support domestic basketball rather than oppose it.
“I am also a firm believer that European competitions should not conflict with domestic leagues,” Comninos said. “We should work hand in hand.”
