Geneva, Dec 10 (NationPress) The secretary general of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Andreas Zagklis, has revealed that the global governing body for basketball is collaborating with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to establish a new European club competition by 2027.

"I am confident this initiative will come to fruition, but we require approvals from both the NBA boards and the FIBA Central Board," Zagklis mentioned during FIBA's annual media video conference.

"October 2027 is a feasible goal. This timing would effectively conclude the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Doha and lead into a groundbreaking project that positively impacts the European club basketball scene," Zagklis stated on Tuesday.

Earlier in March, FIBA Europe and the NBA announced their intent to create a new professional men's league in Europe, anticipated to feature 16 teams. George Aivazoglou, managing director of NBA Europe and the Middle East, previously pointed out cities such as London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Barcelona as potential venues, although neither the league's official name nor launch date has been confirmed, according to reports from Xinhua.

Zagklis emphasized that this competition would be a collaboration rather than solely an NBA initiative. "I wouldn't label this as an NBA competition since FIBA will be actively involved," he clarified. "If you prefer to call it an NBA-FIBA collaboration, I would agree. The NBA is integral to the project."

Currently, European club basketball is dominated by two main competitions, the EuroLeague and the EuroCup, both managed by EuroLeague Basketball.

Zagklis expressed his desire to unify Europe's club competitions under a single umbrella. "I am not satisfied with the existing fragmented structure," he noted. "My vision is to consolidate everything under one roof. It is our responsibility to unite all parties, and I will continue to strive for this goal."

He added that accessibility and sustainability are crucial components of FIBA's strategy. "We aim to provide pathways for teams from different leagues. We do not wish to establish a hierarchy where clubs invest only to participate for a single year," Zagklis stated.

"Our goal is to inspire hope among hundreds of clubs and to encourage investment, not solely through the Basketball Champions League but also via national leagues. It is also about honoring the fans of these teams."

He further discussed modifications to the qualifying and ranking system for the 2027 FIBA Men's World Cup, highlighting the introduction of a cumulative points system. "We have refined certain aspects of the ranking," Zagklis remarked. "One adjustment is that points will now be cumulative. Previously, teams advancing directly to the next stage could end up with fewer ranking points."

Zagklis indicated that these rankings will be significant in the draws for both the 2027 World Cup in Doha, Qatar, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. "The ranking is vital for the draw," he explained. "The more successful you have been recently, the better draws you receive and the greater your chances of progressing in major tournaments."