“I think [the new format] has allowed for some very exciting games. On the pure sporting side, we sense that it was tremendous excitement, interest from the fans because it was a compact schedule that gave the best possible conditions. On the commercial side, the sports industry is suffering under COVID. Governing bodies like ourselves have faced reductions when it comes to commercial and sponsorship revenues. More importantly, clubs themselves suffer a very direct loss, which is the loss of ticketing. And that has consequences: the loss of sponsorships, the loss of hospitality revenue. At the end of the day, the entire industry is suffering.
What we have found very unique in sport is that clubs are expected to continue performing at the highest level and delivering twice a week, when their revenues are significantly reduced. In other sectors, owners can reduce their costs because revenues are reduced, but in a basketball club, you still need to have a full roster; you still need to travel across Europe; you still need to prepare your team. It’s a unique paradox in the world of sports. We can only hope and wish that this situation is going to finish soon.
When it comes to the format, [keeping this year’s format in the future] has raised a lot of interesting discussions in the BCL offices. It is something we are exploring, along with many other options. We don’t have anything set in stone, but we acknowledge that this year’s format did bring considerable advantages.”