Alba Berlin has turned on the fuse of the debate in European basketball. After 24 years competing in tournaments organized by the Euroleague, the German team has announced that from the 2025/26 season he will play at the Basketball Champions League of the FIBA. A decision that has shaken the foundations of the continental elite and that, according to Himar Ojeda, sports director of Alba, marks a before and after in the European basketball ecosystem.
Speaking to Radio Marca Canaria, Ojeda did not bit his tongue by explaining the reasons for this radical turn. The canary was blunt: “The conditions to participate are unfeasible for us.” According to him, the current model of the Euroleague is designed only for its owners and leaves out those who are not part of that select club.
An exclusive model that suffocates non -partners
Ojeda recalled that Alba always believed in the Euroleague project, but that the situation changed after the departure of Jordi Bertomeu as CEO. “The Euroleague has changed its philosophy and passion. They have changed their minds and do not want anyone else to be part of that”he pointed out, making it clear that medium and long term sustainability was unfeasible under the current rules of the game.
In addition, he explained that the new three -year temporary licenses proposed by Euroleague do not include television or marketing distribution, reserved only for thirteen long -term license equipment. “It gives the feeling that these thirteen are the owners and that the others would only pay to play”Ojeda sentenced.
Tomas Satoransky attacks before the German base of Alba Berlin Elias Rapieque.EFE.
The NBA and the FIBA, on the prowl: a new order in Europe?
Another of the great foci is the role of the NBA, which already negotiates with the FIBA the creation of a new league in Europe. Although Ojeda admitted that there are still many unknowns, he regretted that the lack of a strong Euroleague has opened the door to this scenario. “At least sports, the Euroleague was at the level of the NBA, although not economically. Now the breeding ground has been created so that FIBA and NBA want to make the leap ”he explained.
On the level of the Basketball Champions League, Ojeda valued its positive evolution. “It has been growing a lot, with cases such as Tenerife, Burgos, Murcia or Unicaja”He stressed, noting that he currently sees it at the level of the Eurocup.
ALBA BERLIN party
A domino effect on European basketball?
Alba Berlin’s decision could be just the tip of the iceberg. According to Ojeda, several European clubs have already shown interest in exploring alternatives outside the Euroleague. “There are enough people to consider it because everyone sees uncertainty in Europe”he said.
The sports director of Alba also stressed the unusual of situations such as the one lived by the CB Gran Canaria, who had to give up the Euroleague after winning the Eurocup by the economic impact. “That does not happen in another competition, that you cannot level up without a brutal sacrifice.”critical.
The Movement of Alba Berlin could only be the first step towards a paradigm shift in European basketball. With the Euroleague in the center of the hurricane, the BCl growing and the NBA at the doors, the continental basketball board is prepared for a real revolution.
