(BU) You mentioned some of the top European talents in the NBA, like Doncic, Antetokounmpo, Jokic, Bogdanovic, etc. I think European players are becoming more and more dominant in the NBA. In the past, we also have dominant European players, but at the moment, we can count at least two among the best of the best. The thing is those top players from Europe moved to the NBA the very first chance they get. Do you think, in the mid or long-run, European teams get to keep their best talents?
I don’t think the aim should necessarily be to keep them, but it should definitely be to market them in a way European basketball benefits. In the end, a player can choose to stay in Europe. That’s probably very good for the market. As I said at the beginning, we cannot ignore the fact that every fifteen-year-old who bounces a basketball wants to play in the NBA. That’s logical. We cannot change that.
On the contrary, we applaud every kid’s vision. With such popularity, aptitude in developing, and promotion, all these players are contributing to European basketball. The market share, then, cannot be 55 million. This is where I look into it and say, ‘Something needs to improve here.’ Otherwise, more and more of these players will leave earlier and earlier. And European basketball will – I’m not going to say ‘die’ because it will not – reach a very low level. I think it’s our responsibility as operators to make sure this does not happen. So, we need to find mechanisms to make European basketball more attractive, which should allow us to produce more great players. That’s in the DNA of European basketball.
(KRO) This one probably wraps it up. You were talking about the case in Poland, how Polish basketball got better in terms of popularity and competitiveness. There is another tournament called BCL Americas. What kind of feedback are you getting from there?
BCLA is our cousin. When you see the logo, their brand, they’re conscientiously similar to ours. BCLA is now making its first steps. Unfortunately, they were not able to crown the first champion, because of COVID-19. The champion will be crowned in October and November. But BCLA is a competition that follows the same principles. The access to BCLA is, once again, linked to performance at the domestic league. It is very much in line with what we are delivering and promoting. Now, the champions of BCL, BCLA, G-League (the first time an NBA affiliate is competing for a FIBA trophy), and BCL Africa will come together in the revamped FIBA Intercontinental Cup. This is part of the pyramid; this is part of adding value to the basketball. BCLA is the one we are looking forward to seeing grow and reaching the levels we all expect.
(KRO) Thank you for your time. This has been really good for me.
(BU) Thank you so much.
My pleasure. Now with so many Turkish clubs in the Basketball Champions League, I am bound to visit Turkey a lot more often; I am looking forward to seeing you in Istanbul. Or in Germany, when the road takes me there as well.
The DNA of European Basketball