EuroLeague shareholders reject NBA takeover and approve expansion to 24 teams

The shareholders of the EuroLeague met on October 5-6, 2026, in Como, Italy, to decide on the future strategic direction of the competition. The 13 owner-clubs, including representatives from Olympiacos (Panagiotis and Giorgos Angelopoulos) and Panathinaikos (Dimitris Giannakopoulos), gathered to address critical governance issues, including a high-profile takeover proposal from the NBA.

On October 6, the shareholders unanimously rejected the NBA's proposal to acquire a majority stake in the league. Reports suggest the deal was viewed as inadequate, both regarding the financial valuation—which reportedly failed to meet expectations—and the restrictive conditions that would have required the league to halt expansion plans. The proposal was criticized by several clubs as overly aggressive.

Following the rejection, the EuroLeague confirmed it will proceed with its own strategic roadmap. This includes transitioning teams into franchises and expanding the competition from 18 to 24 teams starting from the 2027/28 season. Prospective new franchises, such as Greece's PAOK and Aris, may be required to pay an entry fee, estimated at approximately 70 million euros, to secure a permanent position in the league.