Following their statement Bertomeu and Heiner answered the questions of the media
Q: What are the plans for the structure of the league?
Bertomeu:
“We move step by step. The most important thing for us at the moment is to see if we can have teams like ASVEL and Bayern Munich among the owners of the league. It is means a lot to us to have Bayern Munich among us; it is one of the most recognized sports brands worldwide. This is our priority. It is not only about inviting some team to play in our organization which is something easy. It is about to understand what being an owner means. We have to explain very well its commitments, what we can offer. This is the conversation we started today.
The next step is to continue joining teams with similar basis, from countries that are important to us. You know that Germany has been a priority for us. This year Final Four will be in Germany, we are in conversation with ALBA Berlin about the future with them.
In the long term, we believe that the league will provide access to other teams. But it is important for us to reinforce to group of clubs that are permanently playing in the week. At the moment, there are 11 A-licensed clubs. We expect to have 13 by the end of the season and in the upcoming years, we want to increase this number. In one way or another, we will have new teams. Two summers ago we agreed that participation in the EuroLeague will not depend on the domestic league results. At the moment, we have the freedom to invite teams according to the interests of the league.
EuroCup is extremely important to us. First of all, they have access to EuroLeague. Secondly, the future will be made with the clubs that are part of the EuroCup. Potential EuroLeague license will come from EuroCup. We are working with them, trying to grow the level of basketball of the management.”
Q: Do you plan to increase the number of teams in the short-term?
Bertomeu:
“Not in the mid-term. We have many calendar issues. So, I don’t see this [expansion] in the next 2-3 years, at least. If the interest of the league keeps growing and if there are team that we believe can help to improve the quality of the competition that we offer to our fans, definitely at some point we will consider this option.”
Q: Mr. Herbert, which are the questions that need to be clarified from your side?
Herbert:
“There are some simple questions like we have to be in EuroLeague at least for 10 years as shareholders. We need to understand from technical point what it means etc. As I said earlier, there is no conflict but we definitely want to understand it much better.”
Q: “Is EuroLeague in talks with clubs like Partizan, Virtus Bologna for A-license?”
Bertomeu:
“There are long list of teams that want to be part of EuroLeague which proves that the league is doing well. I think we have to consider market by market and to understand that clubs that join EuroLeague are also can run sustainably in such a demanding league. It will be more demanding in the following years. Partizan is a candidate as well as Crvena Zvezda and Buducnost. We have also teams in Italy, Spain and Russia that are candidates.