Euroleague and Adriatic League reach agreement
Following the recent communication confirming that the 2012-13 ABA League Bylaws contradict the previously approved 2012-13 Euroleague Bylaws regarding the qualification criteria for clubs coming from the ABA League to participate in the 2013-14 Euroleague, Euroleague Basketball has worked together with the ABA League to find a solution. The solution is to be applied only for the current season, after which the ABA League will adjust their Bylaws to comply with the Euroleague Bylaws. Euroleague Basketball hereby communicates the agreement that has been reached with the ABA League:
If at the end of the 2012-13 ABA Regular Season the team that is in the first position meets all of the B-licence minimum requirements according to the 2012-13 Euroleague Bylaws, applying the arena and city where they are registered to play the 2012-13 ABA League (arena seated capacity, hotels, international airport), Euroleague Basketball will apply the 2012-13 ABA Bylaws in order to determine the final standings. In the 2013-14 Euroleague Country Ranking the 2013 ABA Final Four champion and the team that is in the regular season first position will take the first two Adriatic positions in this order, whilst the next highest regular season team will take the final Adriatic position.
If at the end of the 2012-13 ABA Regular Season the team that is in the first position does not meet all of the B-licence minimum requirements according to the 2012-13 Euroleague Bylaws, applying the arena and city where they are registered to play the 2012-13 ABA League (arena seated capacity, hotels, international airport), Euroleague Basketball will apply the 2012-13 Euroleague Bylaws in order to determine the final standings. In the 2013-14 Euroleague Country Ranking, the 2013 ABA Final Four champion and runner-up will take the first two Adriatic positions in this order, whilst the losing semi-finalist with the higher regular season position will take the final Adriatic position.
Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President & CEO said: “As a club organisation, Euroleague Basketball worked together with the ABA League in order to find a solution that protected the sporting interests of the clubs participating in the 2012-13 ABA League. With this agreement, every club now knows exactly what they are playing for between now and the end of the 2012-13 ABA League season, which includes the 2013 ABA Final Four.”
Radovan Lorbek, ABA League President said: “We are very happy and thankful to Euroleague Basketball for their understanding in this situation. Thanks to our strong working relationship with them we have been able to sign an agreement, something vital for all of the clubs in our region. The agreement continues to allow all ABA League Clubs that qualify for but do not currently meet the minimum requirements to register for the 2013-14 Euroleague in an alternative city/arena after the conclusion of the 2013 ABA Final Four, a very important principle that we have defended throughout.”