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Photo: BasketNews.lt/D.Lukšta
Photo BasketNews.lt/D.Lukšta
Next season’s Euroleague must be prepared for the changing conditions of basketball. Jordi Bertomeu, the head of the Euroleague, emphasized this during a conversation with journalists across Europe on Monday night.
Bertomeu said that in the fall, when the start of the new season is planned, the consequences caused by the coronavirus will affect the way basketball competitions are organized in different European countries.
“We need to understand that each country will have its own health protocol,” said Bertomeu. – There will be countries that do not have the virus and will not have restrictions, and there will be countries that still suffer and it will take time to return to normal cancer. If something happens, we will have time to change the calendar because it will be the entire season. It will not be easy, but if necessary, we will try to postpone the game or change the times so that the normal rhythm of the competition takes place. “
According to Bertomeu, by adapting to the conditions, some teams can play more games on the road or at home at the beginning of the season.
The Euroleague boss was optimistic that he expects to see spectators in the stands.
“I don’t think we can say today that we won’t have spectators,” said Bertomeu. – In some countries we will have spectators in the stands, in others we will have certain restrictions regarding the number, and in others there will be restrictions to go to the game. We need to understand that. We need to be very active working with fans to keep them involved in our competition. “
The Euroleague announced on Monday the end of 2019-2020. season and at the same time the European Cup. In both tournaments, the winners were not announced.
Bertomeu emphasized that his goal was to extend the season with all 18 teams, and when it proved impossible to do so, “he made one of the most difficult and saddest decisions in the history of the Euroleague.”
“But we believe this is the right decision for basketball and our stakeholders.” We did everything possible to extend the season: we established medical protocols, trips, accommodation, schedules.
The decision had to be made today. We had to do this to avoid problems with next season’s schedule. Our priority is the health of the players, coaches, referees, local communities. The situation now is that we cannot guarantee that all teams have the same conditions to prepare for the extension of the season. “
Although Bertomeu was asked several times what losses the league and clubs had suffered as a result of the coronavirus, the leader of the Euroleague had no precise answer to these questions.
“We are still working to find out exactly what the economic impact was on the league and the teams. It will be huge, ”said Bertomeu. – This includes not only the income from broadcasts or victories, but also the sale of tickets, the money of the sponsors. Our clubs are working with members to reduce the negative impact this season. “
When asked if the players’ decision not to continue the season was influenced by the fact that in that case they would have won only 5 percent. More than not playing, Bertomeu categorically did not agree with that.
“I don’t think that 5 percent is what makes them reluctant to return, said the head of the Euroleague. – In our conversation on Saturday, basketball players did not talk about the economy. They talked about too short a preparation, about that some could not leave, others could not train with the team. Returning and competing would be very difficult. Many players spoke about their fear of not being able to compete at the level that this league deserves. And that is the highest recognition for the league. “
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