Q: Given financial problems that COVID-19, what is the approach of Euroleague Basketball to Financial Fair-Play Regulations? Have your eased them up?
Bertomeu:
“We have been flexible in some areas in which we believe clubs needed flexibility. We cannot ignore the reality. In areas that are not related to COVID-19, we haven’t been flexible. We have a management control group division that works with clubs. We observe that COVID-19 had different financial impacts on our clubs. There are clubs for which ticket sales are extremely important, and those are suffering more than others. What we are trying to do from league’s standpoint is to help them in each area we can help. We introduce them new strategies to be more profitable in the areas that we can be active like in digital and sponsorship. Financial fair-play is also one of these areas.”
Q: How would you describe role of Bayern in the EuroLeague?
Bertomeu:
“I’m extremely happy with Bayern, not only because of their current ranking. When I came to Munich first time, we had our first conversations with the president at the time, Mr. Uli Hoeness. Everything he said at the time, everything he committed is what the club did. From day one till now, this is what the club did. It is important to have clubs that are committed to the project they are involved in with clear vision. They are structured very-well and understand how to run the business. I think all the elements on the table are [good] music to our ears. This is why we are here today.”
Q: There is a possibility of an Asian League. Huge money is involved. Do you think there is market for that?
Bertomeu:
“The world is very big. Probably there is market for everybody. I’m not into the details of this project. However, if someone is ready to invest in a league in Asia, I believe that it will be an investment with return, and will make sense. At the moment, we have a league, NBA, that is dominant from economical and political point of view. And, in Europe, we have EuroLeague. I understand that FIBA has been promoting a competition in South America to grow the basketball which I think is good. Probably, the competition in Asia can follow the same path. I think every initiative that can help to the growth of the game is good not only for the region, but for all of us. At the end, what we all want is to be more popular and to have more fans.”
Q: How is the progress about Final Four? If there impossibility of organizing a Final Four event in Cologne, would you consider play-off finals for this season?
Bertomeu:
“It is too early to talk about that. We are trying to be optimistic. We are in ongoing conversations with our colleagues in Cologne. We envision different scenarios due to the high level of uncertainty. I think that if the situation goes worse to the point that we can’t have a Final Four, then we will discuss with the clubs for the best formula. I guess if we can’t go to Cologne, probably it will be impossible to organize play-offs. I’m confident that the situation will get better if not we will make the best decision taking the health of all stakeholders into consideration.”