The threat from the NBA, the exclusion of the Russian teams, the return to Israel, Abu Dhabi, Dubai… Current issues are accumulating on the desk of Paulius Motiejunas (Kaunas, 44 years old), general director of the Euroleague since June 2023. Before that, he was president and owner of Zalgiris Kaunas, and was elected Executive of the Year three times in the European competition. Motiejunas speaks to EL PAÍS at a time of great turbulence in European basketball.
To ask. What is the health, sporting and economic, of the Euroleague?
To respond. We are better than ever. The Euroleague has increased its revenue by 45% in the last two seasons. We have new sponsorships. Television audiences increased by 30% in five years and last year more than three million fans watched the games, a record for the competition. We are doing incredibly well. In sporting terms, it was a big step to reach 20 teams. Everyone can beat everyone, there are no undefeated. We want to protect this competitiveness.
Q. What does the arrival of the NBA in Europe mean?
A. We’re still talking to the NBA. Let’s meet again and talk. But there is a lot of frustration on our part because whatever proposal we put forward, they don’t seem to be willing to take any steps forward. Although I say we are talking, there is not much progress because they are following the plan. The NBA says it will start with its league, it talks about cities, teams… From our side, this is not the right path. We are far from reaching any kind of agreement, so we are focused on ourselves, on growing. We’re not looking over their shoulders and expecting them to do something. The EuroLeague has been very good for 26 years.
Q. Is a European NBA good or bad news for continental basketball?
A. As presented, this is bad news. There is no need for another competition. We already have four and it would be the fifth. With the right approach, they could help. But if it continues like this, the NBA will only harm European basketball.
Q. The worst case scenario would be to have two different major leagues?
A. Yes, and not only that. It’s about the story we create. We cannot forget the great basketball markets, the great rivalries. We have the biggest games that can be experienced in many countries. Another league will be difficult for fans to follow and understand.
Q. Golf was divided between players from traditional circuits and others from a Saudi League. Are you afraid the same thing will happen?
A. It’s a good example. They try to attract some of our clubs and leave others out. This doesn’t work. We attended these meetings and made proposals, but we did not move forward. The Euroleague model is completely different. The NBA wants to build basketball around business, we build a business around basketball.
Q. What do you think Real Madrid and Barcelona’s position is?
A. The choice will be yours. We have heard rumors that there is a 500 million license fee to pay. It’s difficult to understand.
Q. And the relationship with FIBA?
A. There are national competitions, national teams, windows… Right now it seems like FIBA is trying to help us find an agreement between both parties. I want to hope, but I also doubt it will happen.
Q. Will Russian teams still be excluded?
A. We want peace to be achieved and war to end. And only after that we can address and analyze the situation. It’s difficult right now with so many restrictions. It’s almost impossible to consider them returning at this point.
Q. And is it safe to play in Israel as the EuroLeague plans to begin on December 1st?
A. Tel Aviv is safe. We have two teams there and the players tell us that everything is fine. A little further away we are monitoring the situation. The ceasefire is really fragile. Let’s hope it continues. We assume it is safe to play in Israel, but we will go to Tel Aviv to double-check that it is safe for the players, coaches, referees and fans. In the national competition, matches are played with packed halls, everything happens as in normal life. We also understand that far from Tel Aviv this is really impossible. It’s hard to find complete peace and imagine that everything will be calm, but as long as Tel Aviv is safe, we hope to return.
Q. Pedro Martínez, Valencia coach, said he does not feel safe.
A. That’s why we go step by step. There are different opinions and mentalities. Even Turkish teams don’t play in Türkiye, in Spain they played behind closed doors… We are trying to manage all these political tensions. We believe we have to find a way. If everything goes well, we will go to Israel again.
Q. The last Final Four was played in Abu Dhabi. This year a team from Dubai is participating. Does the Euroleague need new markets?
A. These are very successful markets. Abu Dhabi was one of the best places for a Final Four, due to the organization and the fans. Dubai is a team that created itself and it is a great achievement. The Euroleague will protect the European basketball mentality and bring the game to new markets. It’s the path we follow.
Q. How do you see the future of the Euroleague in five years?
A. We will continue to be the best competition in Europe, with or without the NBA. We have the best fans, the best teams, the best pavilions. If we protect basketball, everything will be fine. Last season the Euroleague was valued at one billion euros. We set a goal of tripling this number in five years. This season, our rating has increased by more than 50%.