The EuroLeague Head Coaches Board (EHCB) has released a statement to address concerns raised by the basketball club Olympiacos. The questions were about the involvement of EHCB’s Executive Director, Goran Sasic, in the bid for Athens to host the 2026 Final Four.
In its response, the EHCB aimed to clarify the situation, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and professionalism. The board explained Sasic’s role in detail and also addressed a separate question about the use of the OAKA arena for a recent coaches’ event.
🗣️ Addressing a Potential Conflict of Interest
Olympiacos questioned whether Goran Sasic’s role as a consultant for the Athens 2026 Final Four bid created a conflict of interest with his position at the EHCB. The board clarified that Sasic is acting as an independent expert, sharing his valuable experience from successfully organizing the 2022 Final Four in Belgrade. The EHCB stated that since their organization does not have a vote in choosing the host city, there is no conflict of interest. The final decision rests with the EuroLeague management and its clubs.
🔄 Ensuring Full Transparency
The EHCB emphasized that all relevant parties were informed about Sasic’s involvement from the beginning. This included the EHCB president and vice-president, EuroLeague’s CEO and president, and representatives from both Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. The board also noted that this situation is not new; Sasic held the same EHCB director role when he served as the LOC President for the 2022 Final Four, and all stakeholders were properly informed at that time as well.
🏟️ Setting the Record Straight on Arena Use
Another point raised by Olympiacos concerned the recent EHCB Coaches Congress held at the OAKA arena in Athens. The EHCB confirmed that the venue was not provided for free. They stated that rent was paid for all parts of the facility used during the event, a fact that can be verified by the municipality of Athens and the Greek Ministry of Sports. The EHCB concluded by reaffirming its focus on supporting coaches and contributing to the growth of basketball.
