Euroleague CEO Says Expansion Possible, But Rules Out Adding Winner Of FIBA Competition

FIBA Europe Exec Dir Kamil Novak recently "spoke of building bridges to resolve the conflict with the Euroleague," according to AS. Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu addressed "rumors that FIBA would ask for a place for the champion of its Basketball Champions League to automatically qualify for the Euroleague." Bertomeu: "It's impossible, it makes no sense. In what competition do you jump two levels if you win?" He "also left the door open to a possible expansion of the current 16-team league to 18 or even 20." Bertomeu said, "The current number of teams is not definitive. We have to see if these teams would come from the EuroCup or other markets through new licenses" (AS, 11/30).