The EuroLeague is set to expand to 20 teams, but it will stick with its familiar round-robin format. A proposal from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to split the league into two conferences was discussed but ultimately not adopted, as the majority of teams voted to maintain the current system.
This decision means teams will now play a 38-game regular season, where every team plays each other twice. While this ensures fans see every team in action, it also continues the demanding travel and playing schedule that prompted Milan to suggest a change in the first place. The league’s choice highlights a preference for the existing structure, likely due to financial considerations.
🏀 A Different Path Proposed
Christos Stavropoulos, the general manager of Olimpia Milan, shared that he had pushed for a new format to coincide with the league’s expansion. He suggested dividing the 20 teams into two conferences. His main concern was the well-being of the players, as he described the current format as “gruelling.” A conference system could have potentially reduced travel and the overall intensity of the schedule.
🤝 The Majority Decision
Despite Milan’s proposal, the majority of EuroLeague teams voted to keep the single-league, round-robin format. According to Stavropoulos, this decision was partly influenced by economic reasons. The current format, where every team visits every other city, is well-established and may have financial benefits that teams were unwilling to give up. The result is a longer 38-game season for the newly expanded league.
🌏 Looking to the Future
Stavropoulos believes that the EuroLeague will continue to grow, predicting that more teams will join in the future. He also expressed his support for the new team from Dubai, which is set to join the competition. He sees this as a positive step, noting that the region is embracing sports and can make a significant contribution to the league’s growth and international presence.
