Rumors coming out of Spain have Andrea Trinchieri excited
The EuroLeague is preparing to enter a new phase of its expansion, with four clubs set to join the competition’s ownership structure. According to reports published by the Spanish website Encestando, Valencia Basket, Paris Basketball, Dubai BC, and PAOK Thessaloniki are set to be the first clubs to receive this status, through a total investment of 300 million euros. The transactions could be approved as early as the first few days of November.
The initiative is part of the EuroLeague’s new ten-year economic plan, which calls for significant revenue growth and a total distribution of 3.4 billion euros to participating clubs over the next ten years. Of this amount, approximately 1.2 billion is expected to come from entry fees paid by new shareholders.
The project aims to gradually expand the competition’s membership base by admitting between 12 and 15 new clubs over the next four years. This process would allow the clubs involved to secure a stable position within the organization, while simultaneously strengthening the financial resources available to the EuroLeague.
However, the amounts required to join the new membership structure would vary. Valencia Basket and Paris Basketball are expected to invest 50 million euros each, with the option to split the payment into multiple installments. The first installment is scheduled for December, once the admission process is complete.
The financial commitment required of Dubai BC is higher, with estimates of around 70 million euros. The largest investment, however, would come from PAOK Thessaloniki, with the club—coached by Andrea Trinchieri—ready to pay a sum close to 130 million euros.
The Greek club, in particular, represents the most interesting development in this first round of new entries. While Valencia, Paris, and Dubai are already part of the competition, PAOK aims to secure a spot in the EuroLeague through an ambitious project backed by significant financial resources.
The Thessaloniki-based club has already shown concrete signs of its intentions during the summer transfer window, making significant moves to strengthen its roster. Behind the project is a wealthy ownership group determined to bring the team back to the top of European basketball.
