Patrick Comaninos, one of the strongest men in European basketball, is the man behind the Champions League and its progress in recent years.
He serves as CEO and is responsible for all important decisions in the factory. Shortly before the climax of the tournament here in Bilbao, the final match between Manresa and Tenerife, he gave a special and exclusive interview to "Israel Today" and talked about all the burning issues in European basketball and the Champions League.
"This is a season that Corona was still in so we had to make a lot of adjustments like a lot of other sports organizations," Comaninos opens.
"There were protocols and rules, but we feel we have provided the best possible conditions. It is very important to us what the clubs want and we want them to feel good and have a professional challenge. We are constantly in touch with the clubs and that gives us the motivation to stay high."
Why did you choose to host the Final Four in Bilbao?
"This is the first time we have chosen a neutral venue. Until now the Final 4 or 8 was with host clubs. It was significant in the early years of the league when we wanted local support and ticket sales. But we believe that after five years of development we have the ability to take the next step and organize The event is in a neutral place.
Patrick Comeninos.
Established the plant in 2016, Photo: Champions League, official website
"It was smart to go to Spain which is a very successful country in the Champions League - three out of five champions came from Spain - and it made sense to do it in Bilbao which is a great destination with a wonderful hall and a place with sports culture. We got positive feedback from teams She is right. "
In the coming seasons, do you intend to announce the host city at the beginning of the season?
"This season it happened a little later than the beginning of the season because it's the first time we went for the concept of a neutral city. We hope that in 2023 we will be able to announce a little earlier, but we are looking for a destination that can offer the best support. Let's go to a destination that has a team in the tournament but it does not require.What we are looking for are places that want to host and that are with potential.
"We need a respectable place, when also identifying the teams participating in the tournament at the beginning of the season has an impact."
How do you see the impact of the war in Ukraine on the Champions League and European Basketball next season?
"The impact is not just on European basketball but on world sports. We are all following developments and examining what steps are being taken by the responsible organizations like FIBA, FIFA, UEFA and the rest."
Patrick Comeninos.
Cooperation with the league in Israel, Photo: Champions League, official website
Comaninos and Fiba set up the Champions League in the summer of 2016 with a lot of question marks around their ability to compete with the Euroleague and the Eurocup. More prestigious and has several senior teams aiming to reach the Euroleague.Comeninos sounded very pleased with the road and the results after six years.
"We are very happy, but there is still a long way to go. I think we are taking the right steps as a sports competition that serves the interest of the teams and the fans. We keep the DNA which is the principle of sportiness - meaning the best teams will participate or be open to accepting They have played well in their leagues. We have 32 teams from 18 countries and in the top 8 there were representatives from six different countries. For us basketball is not only played in 4-5 countries, but in almost every country in Europe and we should give everyone the opportunity.
"That's what gave us the success, look at Cluj who were one game away from participating in Final 4. They brought in ten thousand fans or more and it shows the excitement and enthusiasm in markets that were not there before. The competition has grown and it shows the great interest we have created."
Goodes with Holon fans behind him, Photo: Champions League website
"When we set up the Champions League we wanted to influence the clubs in Europe," the general manager continues. "We needed a model of competition and we had to prove our ability to the world.
European basketball is still complicated and divided and not everything is complete, but we are in the right direction.
We always said it was a marathon and not a sprint.
We are only at the sixth kilometer and we have a lot more to go. "
There have been rumors over the past year about contacts with the Euroleague to find a solution to the conflict. Where do things stand now?
"There were discussions within FIBA.
Euroleague teams, Euroleague management and even NBA teams were invited to the negotiating table.
We try to bring everyone to the same room and talk, because everyone understands that the current situation hurts the industry and does not contribute to its popularity.
Basketball is the second most popular sport in the world, and organizations need to take care of its proper management and that it reaches as many people around the world as possible.
With proper management basketball can be much more profitable and touch as many markets as possible.
The current situation is not good for everyone. "
In the coming months there will be changes in the Euroleague management, would you like to sit down with the new CEO to resolve the disputes?
"I'm always open to finding a solution. Organized competitions should always be in touch, and even if there are different philosophies one should be able to talk about the common goal which is to grow basketball."
Patrick Comeninos.
The highlight of the season has arrived, Photo: Champions League, official website
The Eurocup last season changed the format to give each team more games. In the past you had more games and you changed the format because of the corona. Are you thinking of maybe increasing the number of games?
"After we get through the final we will talk to the clubs and see. In principle the format works very well and gives a lot of excitement to every game. The phrase 'every significant game' is very true with us. With the concept and every stage of the tournament has meaning. Already in the home stage it means a lot if you finish first, second or third, and so does the top 16. We do not want our competition to be bigger than the local leagues.
"I do not want teams to have to choose whether to play in the league or with us, I want us to play in addition to the local leagues I want their success and I think they are the basis for everything. European competition is for prizes, identity, familiarity and experience, but alongside the local leagues. Of the home games that keep the enthusiasm in the fans. "
How is your cooperation with Israeli basketball?
"We have good cooperation with the Israeli league, in terms of game boards and identification of cooperation. We have good cooperation with Shlomi (Perry, CEO of the League Administration, YM) and other leading factors."
"We also have an excellent relationship with the teams themselves. Holon reached the Final Four after participating in the Final 8 last season and are a good example of a developing team that grew up in the Champions League. Then they also qualified for Final 8 and now for Final Four. If I'm not mistaken, they were with us in 5 of 6 seasons and each season they make progress.
"This is a club that gives an example of how to grow. Hapoel Jerusalem has a rich tradition, they play with us in recent seasons and we are very happy to cooperate with them. The Israeli clubs contribute a lot to the Champions League, and we want to host important events in Israel in the future.
Tenerife is celebrating.
Was big on Holon this time, Photo: Champions League website
The EuroCup recently told me that they are following the Israeli market and would be happy to add an Israeli team that will meet the criteria. What do you think about it?
"It makes sense. The Israeli market is a good and stable market with a lot of passion for basketball, and the history of Maccabi Tel Aviv and other teams speaks for itself.
We are close with the Israeli teams and there are always Israeli teams playing with us.
I believe in our cooperation with the Israeli groups. "
Do you already know how many Israeli teams will play in the Champions League next season?
"I do not know exactly, we will see how the season will end. According to the success of the Israeli teams in the meantime, I believe it will be similar to recent years, but we will have to see exactly how the season ends in the various leagues and then a final decision will be made."
Finally, how do you see the Champions League in three years?
"Three years is a long time in relation to basketball. I do not know where it will go, as I did not know where we will get in our sixth season, but we showed what we are capable of. I see the league continues to grow and positions itself as a place for top clubs. We have European teams and we "We want more of these. We believe we will continue to grow. I also hope the Champions League will be part of a new European basketball system that gives understanding and stability to fans and teams together with the other partners and thus build European basketball. Honestly, it's something realistic."
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