Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga and CEO Chus Bueno expressed clear support for the Final Four format during a press conference on Saturday, May 23, in Athens.
Bodiroga noted that the Final Four represents the conclusion of a season-long process, noting, “After the semifinal games we had yesterday, tomorrow we will have another celebration, a festival of basketball,” and added, “I wish that the best team wins the EuroLeague trophy tomorrow.”
When discussing the competition format and future structure, Bodiroga directly stated his preference for the current system. “I prefer the Final Four,” he said. He added that the regular season already carries playoff-level intensity and that the Final Four rewards consistency across the full campaign.
Bueno aligned with that position, saying, “I prefer the Final Four too. I think it is a celebration of basketball and brings everyone together from different places.”
The EuroLeague CEO also highlighted league growth metrics, stating, “We had 122 million spectators watching games live,” alongside “1.5 billion views on social media, up 80% from the previous year,” and “live-plus-delayed viewership was up 82%.”
Beyond the format debate, Bueno emphasized structural evolution, including expansion plans and potential franchise growth. He noted, “We have 17 offers to become an expansion franchise on top of the existing shareholders,” while confirming ongoing discussions with multiple clubs across Europe.
He also addressed broader industry debates involving potential NBA collaboration, saying, “Fragmentation dilutes value and creates friction,” while stressing openness to future partnership discussions.
The 2026 Final Four in Athens features Olympiacos, Valencia, Real Madrid, and Fenerbahce, with the championship game scheduled for Sunday between Olympiacos and Real Madrid at Telekom Center Athens.
