Dimitris Giannakopoulos criticizes opposition to potential NBA-Euroleague partnership

On October 6-7, 2026, the owner of Panathinaikos BC, Dimitris Giannakopoulos, expressed strong criticism regarding the positions taken by certain clubs during a recent meeting of the 13 Euroleague shareholders in Como, Italy. The gathering, which included discussions with NBA representatives, focused on the potential integration or expansion of European basketball under the influence of the world's premier league. Giannakopoulos specifically identified Olympiacos and two other unidentified teams as opponents to this prospective cooperation, accusing them of prioritizing short-term financial status over the structural development of the sport.

In addition to the organizational conflict, Giannakopoulos publicly advocated for the return of CSKA Moscow to the Euroleague, sharing a photo with CSKA president Andrey Vatutin. He argued that competition between elite teams like Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, and CSKA is essential for the legitimacy of the European championship. He praised the Euroleague administration for the quality of the Como event but insisted that the league must move forward by embracing collaboration with the NBA to ensure long-term growth. No further official decisions from the shareholder meeting regarding a finalized deal or the status of excluded teams were detailed in the current reports.