Antonio Martín was named president of the Spanish Basketball League (ACB) on Monday, "filling the role which had been vacant" since Francisco Roca resigned on Nov. 22, according to J.I. Pinilla of AS. He is the ACB's seventh president and the first former player to be named president. He played 12 seasons in the ACB, 11 for Real Madrid, and also worked as the club's sporting director from '05-09. Martín "faces numerous challenges as ACB president, including establishing peace within the league." The conflicts to resolve include the issues between FIBA and the EuroLeague (AS, 7/16). PALCO23's Guillermo G. Recio reported the ACB announced the departures of Financial Dir Gerard Freixa, Dir of Marketing & Sponsorships Jordi Cañellas and Dir of Business & Marketing Javier de la Chica. Those three are leaving the organization weeks after Ricardo de Diego was named director of branding (PALCO23, 7/16).
MAKING IT OFFICIAL: AS reported in addition to naming Martín its new president, the ACB confirmed Breogán and Manresa will participate in the league in '17-18. Breogán returns to the top flight after a 12-year absence, while Manresa is back in the ACB one season after it was relegated (AS, 7/16).
