The Spanish Basketball League (ACB) "needs a change, and no one denies this," according to José Félix Díaz of EL CONFIDENCIAL. The success of Spanish basketball -- "which is proven by the national team's achievements at every level -- clashes with an outdated model" that will be obligated to take a step forward with a definitive result on Monday, when a new ACB president is elected. It "will not be just a presidential election -- it will go much further." The first step will be to "give the new president executive authority," something that former ACB President Albert Agustí never had. Currently, "two candidates are running for the position: Alfonso López and Alberto Soler." The ACB, however, "wants at least one more candidate to run." The ACB "needs an identity that has been lost as time has passed." Audience "figures show that basketball is still interesting, but in selective fashion." The viewers "for the most recent finals increased from the previous season and marked the highest number since '97." What "is evident is a recent decrease in revenue from broadcast rights." From €19M in '03, that figure has dropped to €2.5M ($3.4M) during the current season. Monday's "vote on a new president will not be any old decision -- the future of basketball and its need to reinvent itself will depend on this election." The winner will need 14 of 18 votes, and "the failure to reach an agreement would mean a nearly mortal blow after more than two months without a visible leader or a defined path" (EL CONFIDENCIAL, 12/9).
