Sayin' So Long to Euroleague: Alba Berlin Heads to the FIBA Basketball Champions League
Berlin's Alba team no longer participates in the Euroleague competition. - Berlin's Alba Team has been ousted from the Euroleague.
It's a whole new ball game for Alba Berlin! Instead of battling it out in the Euroleague next season, they're gearing up for the Basketball Champions League organized by the International Basketball Federation. But don't fret, the Euroleague will continue under a private sports organization's banner.
For 24 long years, Alba Berlin climbed the ranks under the Euroleague's umbrella, with a decade each in the Euroleague and Eurocup. However, their time in the top European basketball league came to an end this season—they struggled to keep up, finishing dead last with only five victories in 34 games.
"We're stepping into an electrifying new chapter with the Basketball Champions League," beamed Alba CEO, Marco Baldi. "The landscape of European basketball has been shifting, and the Euroleague conditions have drastically changed in recent years," he explained, pointing fingers at the eye-watering budgets and high costs associated with a starting spot.
And it's not just the escalating costs. The NBA'sroll in Europeis another factor influencing Alba's decision. Partnering with the FIBA, the NBA is planning a joint European league, and with that development looming, Alba Berlin is optimistic about the future of FIBA competitions.
As for now, there'll only be Bayern Munich representing Germany in the Euroleague next season, holding a fixed starting spot due to their shareholder status in the league. Munich missed the playoffs this season, losing to Real Madrid in a nail-biting Play-In game.
- Alba Berlin
- Basketball
- Berlin
- FIBA Basketball Champions League
- Sport
- NBA
- Marco Baldi
- Europe
- Economic sustainability
- Cooperation
(Note: Alba Berlin sought a change due to the evolving European basketball landscape and the challenging conditions in the EuroLeague. They believe participating in the Basketball Champions League aligns with the future growth of FIBA competitions. The move also reflects Alba's focus on economic sustainability and cooperation, as well as their historical ties with FIBA competitions. Additionally, the future collaboration between the NBA and FIBA could impact the competitive landscape in European basketball.)
Despite a decade-long run in the Euroleague, Alba Berlin will transition to the FIBA Basketball Champions League next season, embracing a new challenge in European basketball. Marco Baldi, Alba's CEO, is eager about this shift, acknowledging the evolving landscape and the escalating costs in the Euroleague. The NBA's growing influence in Europe is another factor influencing Alba's decision, as the NBA plans a joint European league with FIBA. This move reflects Alba's focus on economic sustainability and cooperation, and their historical ties with FIBA competitions.
