Expansion of Euroleague proves to be a pricey predicament for FC Bayern Munich
Going Bigger, Going Harder: Exploring the First Waves of Euroleague's Expansion and Impact on FC Bayern
Gordon Herbert, the world champion coach, recently noticed the initial repercussions of the Euroleague's expansion—and it seems like the players stand to benefit the most. In a nutshell, salaries are set to skyrocket, benefiting the leather-bound warriors.
The catalyst for this is the influx of teams like Dubai Basketball and Hapoel Tel Aviv into the soon-to-be 20-team top tier, boasting generous financial resources. As a result, the transfer market has already sprung to life in the summer heat, promising a rollercoaster ride for competitive teams like FC Bayern Basketball.
Beyond that, the competition for top players will heat up, making it even more challenging for clubs like FC Bayern to field competitive teams. Add to that the need to expand beyond the core 10-man roster to accommodate a season that could stretch into 90 or more games, depending on the circumstances.
As the playoffs for the German championship unfold, FC Bayern's sports director, Dragan Tarlac, is meticulously piecing together the next roster. The reigning champions are navigating their quest for a repeat while dealing with injuries, such as Devin Booker's ankle issue.
Trade rumors are swirling, with Notice Weiler-Babb reportedly eyeing exits worth over 700,000 euros towards powerhouse teams like Fenerbahce, Olympiacos Piraeus, and Monaco. Simultaneously, speculation is mounting about FCBB's potential interest in Lithuanian guard Rokas Jokubaitis (Maccabi Tel Aviv). The future of other players, such as Carsen Edwards, Booker, or Shabazz Napier, remains uncertain.
The expansion brings a third factor into play, as Euroleague participants might treat national leagues with a more dismissive eye. FC Bayern has experienced this phenomenon in the past, with star players sitting out games against weaker opponents. This trend is expected to intensify with 38 main round games and 34 games in the BBL. Not surprisingly, FC Bayern voted against the expansion.
Andrea Trinchieri, a former Bayern coach, soberly points out that "every team will have to fight even more." The Italian expects ten grueling weeks of double Euroleague games each.
This development doesn't help resolve the scheduling conflict between the Euroleague, FIBA, and national leagues. Scenarios like FC Bayern's less than 48-hour turnaround between Euroleague and BBL games are becoming the norm, causing discontent. Adding fuel to the fire is the threat of the NBA's European offshoot, set to debut in 2026.
In the face of these challenges, Tarlac is advocating for a united front: "The best way forward is to move ahead together. Europe already has too many competitions, Europe should keep it simple." If not, the beneficiaries in the long run could dwindle.
Notable Tidbits:
- With more teams in the competition, increased demand for players, and intensified competition for top talent, clubs may need to foster stronger scouting and player development strategies to remain competitive.
- Upward pressure on salaries brings about potential budget constraints, especially for clubs with comparatively modest budgets like FC Bayern. They may need to be more selective or creative in their recruitment to maintain competitiveness.
- The busier schedule with the Euroleague expansion, featuring up to 10 double-game weeks per season, could lead to increased player fatigue and injury risk, placing more strain on clubs' squad management.
The influx of teams with significant financial resources, such as Dubai Basketball and Hapoel Tel Aviv, into the expanded Euroleague could trigger a surge in interest for basketball as a sport.
As a result of the increased competition and higher transfer market activity, clubs like FC Bayern might find themselves in need of strengthening their player development and scouting strategies to maintain their competitiveness.
