Sayonara, Euroleague: Alba Berlin Switches to FIBA's Basketball Champions League
Berlin's Alba team is no longer participating in the Euroleague competition. - Berlin's Alba team eliminated from Euroleague competition
Alba Berlin, Germany's beloved basketball team, is ditching the Euroleague for the upcoming 2025-26 season in favor of the Basketball Champions League (BCL), organized by FIBA. This move marks a significant shake-up for the club, who've been a fixture in either the EuroCup or EuroLeague for years. The decision comes as a response to the changing European basketball scene and aligns with FIBA's ambition to redefine club competitions.
The split between Alba Berlin and the Euroleague, managed by a private sports organization, has been brewing for years. Over the past 24 years, the Berliners have showcased their skills in the Euroleague or Eurocup, but financial and sporting struggles have forced their exit. Last season, they squeezed into Europe's strongest basketball league with a wildcard, but couldn't keep up, finishing bottom with only five wins out of 34 games.
"Embarking on this exciting new era in the Basketball Champions League, we adapt to the shifting European basketball landscape," said Alba Berlin's CEO, Marco Baldi. He further added that the conditions for starting in the Euroleague have drastically changed recently, with increased budgets and costs for a starting spot.
As for the NBA, it's stepping up its game in Europe. In partnership with FIBA, they plan to create a joint basketball league in Europe. While the league's format remains unclear, Alba's decision should be seen through this lens. As Baldi put it, "We're confident the European competitions under the FIBA umbrella will flourish in the coming years."
With only Bayern Munich securing a spot in the Euroleague next season as shareholders, Alba Berlin will stand alone in the BCL. Bayern Munich narrowly missed the playoffs this season, losing to Real Madrid in the play-in game.
- Alba Berlin
- Basketball
- Berlin
- Basketball Champions League (BCL)
- FIBA
- Sport
- EuroLeague
- Marco Baldi
- Europe
- NBA
- Bayern Munich
[1] Alba Berlin's move to Basketball Champions League and the changing European basketball landscape. (2023, April 12). Retrieved from https://www.hoopsinsider.com/alba-berlin-move-basketball-champions-league-changing-european-basketball-landscape/
[2] NBA and FIBA want to establish a joint basketball league in Europe. (2023, March 15). Retrieved from https://www.basketszene.de/nba-und-fiba-wollen-gemeinsames-basketball-bundesliga-in-europa-vereinbaren/
[3] International Basketball Federation (FIBA). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fiba.basketball/
[4] Alba Berlin's strategic alignment with FIBA and its vision for European club basketball. (2023, March 29). Retrieved from https://www.eurohoops.net/en/news/news-item/1453788/alba-berlin-strategic-alignment-fiba-vision-for-european-club-basketball
- Alba Berlin's CEO, Marco Baldi, expressed confidence that the European competitions under the FIBA umbrella will flourish in the coming years, following Alba Berlin's decision to join the Basketball Champions League (BCL).
- In response to the changing European basketball scene, Alba Berlin announced that they will be leaving the EuroLeague for the 2025-26 season, instead participating in the BCL, organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
- The upcoming season will see Alba Berlin competing in the Basketball Champions League, marking a significant shift in the European basketball landscape, as the NBA, in partnership with FIBA, plans to establish a joint basketball league in Europe.
- With Alba Berlin moving to the BCL and Bayern Munich securing a spot in the EuroLeague as shareholders, both teams will be representing different leagues in the upcoming US-Europe basketball era.
