The Spanish Basketball League's (ACB) renewal of electric company Endesa as its naming rights sponsor "has opened another schism for the ACB," according to Faustino Sáez of EL PAÍS. There "is now a controversy between ACB President Francisco Roca and the clubs because of the agreement that has been one of the economic pillars of the league." The "Liga Endesa" brand "has proven fruitful and strengthened the ACB's finances," with clubs approving at a meeting in November of a budget of more than €30M ($32.4M) for the ongoing '16-17 season, the highest in league history. Revenue grew for the fifth consecutive year. In a statement released by the league after that meeting, it was announced that Roca "was starting negotiations to renew the title sponsorship deal with Endesa," which expires in June. Contrary to that statement, Roca "reportedly informed clubs that the title sponsorship would instead be sold to Movistar," which has held the TV rights to the ACB since Oct. '15. Without "the authorization of the clubs," Roca was executing a move that, "according to Endesa, violated the agreement." The contract between ACB and Endesa, to which El País had access, "recognizes Endesa's preferential right to contract the naming rights once the agreement expires" (EL PAÍS, 1/30). In Barcelona, Jesús Pérez Ramos wrote in mid-November, Roca reportedly presented to Endesa a "final proposal" for a deal worth a minimum of €11.5M ($12.4M) per year over four years, "with no room for negotiation." Endesa Dir General of Communications Alberto Fernández said, "Any solution that they want to reach now must maintain the Liga Endesa name for three or four more years. If the situation is not resolved, we will take legal action in defense of our interests" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 1/31).
