The Spanish Basketball League's (ACB) entry tax "continues to be a task" for Spanish Minister of Education, Culture & Sport Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, according to MARCA. He "expressed his discomfort with the famous payment that teams in Spain's top basketball league have to make." Méndez de Vigo said, "It is something that makes no sense. Whoever earns the right on the court cannot lose it because of a financial situation." He assured that he is "working to eliminate this tax" and added, "I have spoken with the ACB and explained it. I also believe that the ruling made by Spain's National Commission of Markets & Competition (CNMC) is enormously clear. What I would like is for the ACB to make a decision. I expect that the league will do it, but if it does not ... we will do it" (MARCA, 7/21).
SEVILLA STAYS ALIVE: In Madrid, Daniel Lagos reported "there will be basketball in Sevilla," as ACB club Sevilla confirmed it will participate in the league next season. This follows "days of tense anticipation when the club's disappearance appeared to be a possibility." The negotiations included participation by La Liga side Real Betis. Through Betis President Ángel Haro's Energía Plus business, Real Betis will take over the stake in the basketball club that was owned by Caixabank. This "will be a symbolic sale, as the bank will continue to contribute almost all of the club's budget." Betis Energía Plus will be the new name of the basketball team after the La Liga club "guaranteed its viability" (AS, 7/21).
