The fight against the Euroleague: "It is impossible to continue with the rush" • The status of the Israeli teams: "Very important to us, and not just Hapoel Jerusalem" • Exclusive interview for "Israel Today" with the CEO of the Champions League, Patrick Comaninos
Comeninos.
"Our goal is to develop basketball"
Photography:
Basketball Champions League
Patrick Comeninos is one of the most powerful men in European basketball.
He led the establishment of the Champions League in basketball about five years ago, is primarily responsible for the wholesale transition of teams from the Euroleague tournaments to his factory, and the undisputed general manager of the factory with strong ties to FIBA.
In an exclusive interview from Athens, Comeninus answers all the important questions - the stubborn struggle against the Euroleague, the importance of the Israeli teams in the factory, his vision and the talks with Panathinaikos.
"It's a unique time," he opens our conversation, "we try to support the clubs as much as possible, while at the same time trying to organize the competition while dealing with all the restrictions."
How hard was it for you to stop the league last season?
"It was not difficult because it was the only logical option. All the competitions were on forced break and we had to predict the future and it is not possible. Organizing a local league is difficult in such a situation, so international competition is almost impossible. Lately we have done everything to complete the final. "Because we want the results to be determined on the field and the title to reach the best team."
Throughout the last period it seemed important for you to complete the Final 8 despite all the difficulties.
"We did not do what was easy, but what was right. The easiest thing was to say sorry, it's complicated and we will not play. The right decision is to make the effort to complete the season and crown a champion for 19/20. We knew that was the right thing to do and we all worked 24/7. For that to happen. "
What will be the economic impact of the Corona crisis on the Champions League?
"We need to divide the answer into two parts: about us as a factory and the teams. About us, on 19/20 we took into account that we will complete the season, so financially it does not affect too much. Of course for the coming season we will have to adapt "But we analyzed the situation and fortunately there is no financial impact."
"Scouts in Israel have a passion"
Regarding the clubs he adds: "For them there is a direct impact on budgets because they sell tickets and profit from merchandise. It matters how much each club has gone down in budget and if fans can be part of the revenue, and these are questions that depend on countries and clubs. Not just because of money, but because they affect the game. "
Are you trying to help teams that play for you?
"We do not really get involved, but we believe that support should be given to clubs because that is, among other things, what gives them strength. We see that clubs need to adapt to the situation, and we try to contribute to them with advice and support. We see all sports unstable, but hopefully all They will get through it well. "
Why did you change the method of play next season and postpone its opening for a week?
"For us the most important thing is to finish on time first. We do not want to start a season that will end in December. We want to be sure that the season will end as a series. That is what is most important. All our decisions stem from it."
How important is Hapoel Jerusalem to you?
"In general, Israel is an important market for us. We know how much Israelis have a passion for basketball. Your spectators have knowledge of basketball and they are excited about the game. Israeli teams are important to our market. Hapoel Jerusalem is a club that has been very successful internationally and it is good that they are with us. Hapoel Holon, which has been with us for several years, or even Hapoel Tel Aviv, which played in the qualifiers.
Can you tell Hapoel Jerusalem fans that the Final Four will arrive at the arena?
"Do you know that in order for the Final Four to reach Israel, an Israeli team must be in the Final Four? (Laughs; YM).
I promise Hapoel Jerusalem fans that when they reach the Final Four, we will take Jerusalem into account for hosting the event.
We know the tradition and the arena and the atmosphere and we want all of this to be reflected. "
Would you like to see more Israeli teams participate in your tournaments?
"Everyone sees our patience and good treatment of the Israeli clubs and we have had several of these in recent seasons. There were more than 100 teams in our factories and any club that wants to take part is welcome."
"Do not want cases like Rishon LeZion"
In the last year we have witnessed a great move of the Eurocup teams to the Champions League and according to Comeninos this trend is not going to change any time soon.
"Our goal is to continue to develop and increase the tournament. A few years ago we brought in Bamberg who previously played in the Euroleague and also Hapoel Jerusalem," says the factory CEO, "For us, the most important message comes from the clubs that appreciate what we do.
I can tell you that in the future more groups will make the factory their home. "
Will we see teams move directly from the Euroleague to the Champions League in the future?
"For us it is not a matter of Euroleague or Eurocup, we want the Champions League to grow and be able to offer the best conditions. We are not looking for specific teams, we discuss with all the teams and examine the whole market and try to adapt to the requirements."
The rumors last summer about a possible transfer of Panathinaikos were true?
"There have been discussions with a lot of clubs. Panathinaikos is a club that has been part of the FIBA family for many years.
The Inacopoulos family may have left FIBA, but they consider themselves part of the European basketball family and we all have a common goal. It should be understood that this is not a problem of the Champions League or the Euroleague, it is a problem of all basketball. Sports on the continent, and we all need to make sure that changes. "
Euroleague secretary general Jordi Bartomeu said a few months ago that you buy teams with money. How about that?
"I think every team that participates in a European tournament examines the conditions, and financial benefits attract every team. Euroleague teams get money, so do both the Eurocup and the Champions League. I see no problem with that. We want teams to be financially stable, and do not want to see cases like that. Maccabi Rishon LeZion, which will not play in the EuroCup for economic reasons.
We want teams that enjoy the Champions League and develop financially, experience and tradition.
That's our job - to help our clubs grow. "
What is your vision?
"The Champions League is already showing a good model for the growth of European basketball. It is a model that leagues and teams see and try to adopt. Our factory is based on success, and our mission is to continue to develop European basketball and eventually teams understand the Champions League is the best place for them."
Finally, is there a chance for cooperation with the Euroleague? Because you will agree with me that there is no place for four tournaments in European basketball and the clashes between the national team games and the Euroleague are not doing well either.
"This is a very good question. We have no problem because our goal is to develop basketball. We want to respect teams, leagues, clubs and fans. We need to understand that European basketball is not 11 teams, but hundreds of teams and dozens of local leagues. The goal is to help everyone develop and not Only for 11 groups.
"In this matter, FIBA feels responsible, while the 11 teams in the Euroleague have a different vision.
We respect that, but think it is impossible to continue like this with the rush between the teams and the leagues.
For example, think that Israeli players will have a very difficult time developing when some of the teams have such problems with the national teams and the leagues. "
