Union of European Basketball Leagues (ULEB) president Eduardo Portela and Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu met top representatives from FIBA World - secretary general Patrick Baumann and secretary general emeritus Borislav Stankovic - and from FIBA Europe, president Giorgios Vassilakopoulos and executive director Nar Zanolin.
The meetings in Geneva were designed to begin ‘laying the foundations for future work together’ and to find ‘points of agreement that allow for dialogue to be initiated’.
The two organisations fell out after ULEB launched its Euroleague to rival FIBA’s Suproleague. With two European club competitions, the sport was damaged by the split and eventually FIBA put its league on ice.
ULEB says it will maintain its current competition structure for the upcoming season, with the Euroleague and ULEB Cup managed completely by ULEB.
Meanwhile, Marshall Glickman, the US consultant brought in to help boost the Euroleague’s marketing strategy, has had his contract extended – but he will not remain in Europe.
Glickman has been a full-time consultant with the Euroleague since December, 2002. As part of the new agreement, Glickman will return to the US, where he will launch a new consulting practice, G2 Strategic, LLC, but will make frequent trips to Europe.
Under Glickman, the league launched the Euroleague Ticketing Programme, which provides intensive workshops related to increasing attendance and income from ticket sales for ten participating clubs. Glickman is also playing a major role in advising the Euroleague on its future direction in television, sponsorship sales, licensing, the Euroleague Final Four and general business development.
Said Glickman: "To be successful in Europe, you cannot simply import typical US sports marketing ideas. Instead, you can draw upon many of the best concepts from the States, but at the same time you must be very sensitive to the fact that Europe is not a country and modify your thinking accordingly. We are finding that there is a tremendous market for the growth of basketball, especially from young families, businesses and women. I am very excited about our future."
Added Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu: “There is no question that European basketball is having a meaningful impact in the States. It is important for us to increase our presence in the corporate and advertising communities, as we think we provide a uniquely pan-European marketing platform that can help US companies increase European sales and break into new markets. In addition to advising us directly, Marshall will have an important role in our development in this area."
