As the EuroLeague season expands to 20 teams, a major discussion has emerged about its competitive structure. Dimitris Itoudis, the President of the EuroLeague Head Coaches Board, has shared his thoughts on why the current playoff system needs an update to keep the league exciting and fair for more teams.
His main point is that as the league grows, the postseason should grow with it. With the current format, a large number of teams will see their seasons end early, which he believes isn’t good for the competition. Itoudis suggests looking at successful models like the NBA to create a more inclusive and engaging end to the season for fans and clubs alike.
🤔 A Call for More Playoff Teams
With the EuroLeague now featuring 20 teams, only eight get to compete in the playoffs. This means just 40% of the league has a shot at the title. Itoudis points out that when the league had 16 teams, 50% made it to the postseason. He argues that the current percentage is too low, leading to 12 teams having their seasons labeled as “bad.” He draws a comparison to the NBA, where 20 out of 30 teams (about 67%) participate in the postseason, including the play-in tournament. Itoudis suggests that the EuroLeague should aim for at least 12 teams in its postseason, possibly through an expanded play-in round, to make the competition more meaningful for a larger portion of the league.
✈️ The Challenges of Expansion
A bigger league also means more practical challenges for everyone involved. Coaches and players face more double-game weeks and increased travel. Itoudis notes that teams have adapted by expanding their rosters to 16 or 17 players to better manage fatigue and potential injuries. He also highlights the inconsistencies in rules across different domestic leagues in Europe. For example, countries like Israel, Turkey, and Spain have different regulations on how many foreign players a team can have. This creates an uneven playing field, and he believes standardizing these rules would make the competition fairer for all EuroLeague clubs.
💡 A Vision for a Unified Future
Looking ahead, Itoudis anticipates the EuroLeague could expand to 22 or even 24 teams. He believes this will naturally lead to a two-conference format, similar to what is seen in American sports. He also proposed a significant idea: making the EuroLeague Final Four the true grand finale of the European basketball season. This would mean that teams participating in it would not have to return to play in their domestic league championships afterward. Achieving this would require greater collaboration between the EuroLeague, FIBA, and national federations, but he feels now is the right time to start these important conversations.
🤝 Ensuring Stability for All Clubs
To build a stronger and more sustainable league, Itoudis emphasizes the need for stability, especially for new teams. He argues that clubs should be given multi-year contracts—at least three years—rather than planning on a year-to-year basis. This provides the security needed for long-term development and investment. He mentioned that teams like Partizan and Crvena Zvezda have benefited from this approach, and new entries like Dubai have secured longer deals. Giving clubs a stable foundation and a voice through shareholder rights, he says, is crucial for the healthy growth of the entire EuroLeague ecosystem.
