Euroleague Basketball joins the Italian and global basketball family in mourning Giorgio Armani, the legendary fashion designer and passionate basketball patron, who passed away on Monday at the age of 91.

Euroleague Basketball mourns Giorgio Armani

Armani purchased Olimpia Milano in 2008 from Giorgio Corbelli, becoming the club’s sole owner and ushering in a new golden era. Under his stewardship, the team reclaimed its place among Europe’s elite, capturing six Italian League crowns, four Italian Cups, and five Italian Supercups. In 2021, Olimpia Milano returned to the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time since 1992, a milestone achievement in the club’s modern history. Courtside seats in Milan and across the continent often featured Armani himself, a testament to his deep devotion to the game and his players.

 

“Giorgio Armani was a pioneer, a global cultural leader, and a true friend of our sport,” said Dejan Bodiroga, Euroleague Basketball President. “I am deeply grateful for his invaluable contribution and support to Euroleague Basketball, his passing leaves an irreplaceable void, but his legacy will inspire generations to come.”

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Beyond basketball, Armani was a towering figure in global culture. He founded the Armani brand in 1975, revolutionizing the fashion industry and later expanding into entertainment, sport, and luxury hospitality. Known as the pioneer of red-carpet fashion, his influence extended far beyond the runway, shaping how generations experienced elegance and lifestyle. Among countless accolades, he was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2021, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

 

"Mr. Armani’s showed that basketball could stand proudly alongside art, fashion, and culture, enriching the game with values that transcended the court. We are profoundly grateful for everything he gave to European basketball" stated Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO.

 

Giorgio Armani will be remembered not only as one of the greatest designers of all time, but also as a generous supporter of sport, a visionary leader, and a proud ambassador of Italian excellence.

Euroleague Basketball has been recognized with two nominations at the 2025 Sports Business Awards, following a landmark season that blended innovation, storytelling, and celebration of the league’s 25th anniversary.

Euroleague Basketball receives two nominations at 2025 Sports Business Awards

Euroleague Basketball has been recognized with two nominations at the 2025 Sports Business Awards, following a landmark season that blended innovation, storytelling, and celebration of the league’s 25th anniversary.

Euroleague Basketball has been nominated for Best Sports Marketing Campaign – International for its season-long 25th anniversary campaign. Celebrating a quarter-century of top-tier European basketball, the effort combined heritage and innovation with retro game nights, digital fan voting, custom branding, and a global tribute to the All-25 EuroLeague Team in at the Final Four in Abu Dhabi. With more than 77 million impressions and participation from 29 basketball legends, the campaign honored the past while looking firmly to the future.

In partnership with IMG, the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four – which was held for the first time in the Middle East – was nominated for the Sports Innovation Award. Hosted at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the event marked a historic step in Euroleague Basketball’s global journey. IMG’s world-class production brought the spectacle to life with a record 24 cameras, including immersive in-stanchion angles and RF Steadicams roaming courtside. The Final Four reached new heights in terms of social media engagement, too, reaching 40.56 million, with 208.6 million impressions on all platforms.

Beyond the games, Final Four week featured a series of engaging activations, ranging from the 25th anniversary celebrations to the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals, mic’d-up players, and live digital shows. The result was an 81% increase in global fan engagement and a clear signal of intent: to keep pushing boundaries and growing the game.

Together, these nominations highlight a season defined by ambition, creativity, and connection, with fans at the heart of it all.

2025 Sports Business Awards Nominations:

**• Sports Innovation Award:** EuroLeague Final Four 2025 – Abu Dhabi – IMG & Euroleague Basketball

**• Best Sports Marketing Campaign – International:** Euroleague Basketball

EuroLeague Basketball and Sportal.bg, Bulgaria’s leading digital sports media, part of the international Ringier Sports Media Group (RSMG), are proud to announce a new official media partnership that will span over the upcoming Euroleague season.

Euroleague Basketball and Sportal.bg announce Official Media Partnership for the 2025-26 season

EuroLeague Basketball and [Sportal.bg](http://Sportal.bg), Bulgaria’s leading digital sports media, part of the international Ringier Sports Media Group (RSMG), are proud to announce a new official media partnership that will span over the upcoming Euroleague season.

Through this collaboration, [Sportal.bg](http://Sportal.bg) becomes the Official Premium Media Partner of the Euroleague in Bulgaria, offering basketball fans unparalleled access to Europe’s top basketball competition.

The agreement will provide Bulgarian fans with:

- **Comprehensive coverage** of all EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup games, including news, reports, statistics, and live results.
- **Exclusive digital content**, such as interviews with players and coaches, behind-the-scenes stories, and premium video highlights.
- **Strengthening the dedicated EuroLeague section** on [Sportal.bg](http://Sportal.bg), ensuring fans have a one-stop destination for everything related to the competition.
- **Fan engagement initiatives**, including polls, interactive features, and competitions with prizes such as merchandise and match tickets.

"We are delighted to welcome [Sportal.bg](http://Sportal.bg) as our Official Media Partner in Bulgaria," said Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Chief Marketing Communications Officer of Euroleague Basketball. "Bulgaria is a passionate basketball market, and through [Sportal.bg](http://Sportal.bg)’s digital leadership and innovative technologies, we will be able to bring the EuroLeague experience closer and in a more engaging way to its fans and create even stronger connections with the community. At the same time, this partnership reflects EuroLeague’s ambition to explore and strengthen our presence in diverse markets across the European ecosystem, ensuring that basketball’s growth and excitement reach fans everywhere."

"At [Sportal.bg](http://Sportal.bg), we are committed to delivering the best possible sports experience to our readers," added Stilian Shishkov, CEO of [Sportal.bg](http://Sportal.bg) and Managing Partner at Ringier Sports Media Group. "Partnering with the Euroleague, the organizer of the most prestigious basketball competitions in Europe, allows us to combine our editorial excellence with exclusive content and unique fan experiences. Together, we aim to elevate basketball coverage in Bulgaria to a new level."

Euroleague Basketball is delighted to announce the renewal of its longstanding partnership with Movistar Plus+, securing the exclusive broadcast rights of the EuroLeague and non-exclusive rights of the BKT EuroCup in Spain through the 2030-31 season.

Movistar Plus+ and EuroLeague Extend Broadcast Partnership Until 2031

Euroleague Basketball is delighted to announce the renewal of its longstanding partnership with Movistar Plus+, securing the exclusive broadcast rights of the EuroLeague and non-exclusive rights of the BKT EuroCup in Spain through the 2030-31 season.

This five-season extension, secured by Euroleague Basketball’s strategic partner IMG, signed a full year ahead of the current agreement’s expiration, reinforces Movistar Plus+’s unwavering commitment to delivering premium sports content to its subscribers. The renewal ensures that Spanish basketball fans will continue enjoying world-class coverage of the two premier club basketball competitions for years to come.

Spain will be prominently represented in the expanded 20-team EuroLeague during the 2025-26 season, with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Valencia Basket all set to compete in what promises to be the most competitive edition yet, while Baxi Manresa will make its debut in the BKT EuroCup.

“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Movistar Plus+, a platform widely known for their premium quality and excellence, which makes it the perfect home for the EuroLeague and the EuroCup”, said Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO. “Spain remains one of our most strategic markets, and this renewal is key to ensuring the delivery of high-quality broadcasts and premium editorial content, further enhancing the fan experience. This long-term agreement highlights the strength of our collaboration and ensures that Spanish fans will continue to enjoy world-class coverage as the EuroLeague embarks on an exciting new chapter of competition and growth.”

As part of the agreement, Movistar Plus+, owned by Spanish telecommunications leader Telefónica, will broadcast every EuroLeague fixture featuring Spanish teams, as well as a curated selection of the top games from across the league. Starting September 30, the top two games of each round will be available to all Movistar Plus+ customers. For fans seeking the complete EuroLeague experience, up to five games per round—including every game involving Spanish clubs, will be available through Movistar’s enhanced sports package across multiple channels.

“This is a new step in Movistar Plus+'s strategy to strengthen our commitment to top-level sports and to continue shaping, in this new phase, an unmatched content offering featuring the best of the main competitions. The EuroLeague is the highest expression of basketball, and we will strive to meet the highest standards in every game.” states Daniel Domenjo, Movistar Plus+ CEO

Movistar Plus+ will also continue to give significant prominence to non-live EuroLeague content, offering fans an immersive experience beyond the games. This includes exclusive interviews, in-depth pre- and post-game shows for selected matchups, and the fan-favorite program *Eurofighters*. Produced by Movistar’s top-tier editorial team, *Eurofighters* provides expert analysis, insider access, and premium editorial content that reviews each EuroLeague round in detail.

This renewed alliance between Euroleague Basketball and Movistar Plus+ not only secures premium coverage for Spanish fans but also reinforces the EuroLeague’s growing influence and popularity in one of Europe’s most passionate basketball markets.

As the EuroLeague prepares for an exciting 2025–26 season — one that will mark a significant expansion from 18 to 20 teams — the league’s Annual Workshops continued in Barcelona on July 3 with a series of key offseason meetings. Professionals from the Business, Media and Medical areas from the EuroLeague clubs came together to share knowledge, align priorities, and shape the league’s direction both on and off the court.

Executives from the marketing, media, and business departments participated in sessions centered on innovation, fan engagement, and commercial development. The day began with a welcome from Euroleague Basketball CEO Paulius Motiejunas and featured a high-level review of the 2024–25 season, including strong progress in digital reach, brand visibility, and revenue growth.

The agenda also included a panel where clubs were able to share their experiences and best practices during the season, a keynote with an industry expert focused on content creating and distribution, and the results of [the Euroleague Marketing Awards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/news/devotion-marketing-awards-2024-25-panathinaikos-zalgiris-and-fenerbahce-lead-the-way/), which celebrated outstanding achievements in areas such as content, fan campaigns, and sponsor activations.

Meanwhile, on the same day, EuroLeague club doctors held their annual medical meeting. The session provided a platform to exchange insights on player health, performance monitoring, and injury prevention. Topics included the analysis of injury trends, evaluation of digital medical tools, and continued efforts to standardize best practices across clubs, with the goal of improving athlete care and operational consistency.

These workshops form a core part of Euroleague Basketball’s offseason roadmap, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to reflect, collaborate, and plan for the future. With the Annual Workshops culminating in September with the One Team workshop, dedicated to the league’s social responsibility efforts, the collective focus remains on strengthening the foundations of long-term, sustainable growth.

EuroLeague Annual Workshops continue with focus on collaboration and growth

Devotion Marketing Awards, 2024-25: Panathinaikos, Zalgiris, and Fenerbahce lead the way

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Zalgiris Kaunas and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul have been named the winners of the 2024-25 Devotion Marketing Awards at the Euroleague Basketball Business Workshops. The awards honor the clubs for their innovative and impactful marketing initiatives in areas such as fan engagement, digital strategies, and merchandising.

### Gold Devotion Award: Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

For the first time ever, the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament moved beyond its traditional home at OAKA, hosting a historic event at the legendary Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The sixth edition, dubbed "Under The Stars", was a monumental success, drawing 42,000 fans who sold out the event in just 35 hours.

The tournament wasn’t just a basketball competition — it was a full-scale celebration of Pavlos Giannakopoulos’ legacy, blending elite European basketball with the rich cultural heritage of Athens. The atmosphere was electric, with light shows, live music performances from artists across Turkiye, Israel, and Serbia, and unforgettable moments that captured the hearts of fans. The event gained international attention, with over 120 global media features and coverage in multiple countries.

On social media, Panathinaikos saw impressive results with 21.3 million views, over 2.2 million engagements, and 19.6 million unique users across their platforms. The success of this groundbreaking event showcases Panathinaikos’ continued leadership in fan engagement and event marketing.

### Silver Devotion Award: Zalgiris Kaunas

Zalgiris Kaunas took home the Silver Devotion Award for their incredible merchandising campaign celebrating the club’s 80th anniversary. In collaboration with Puma and Lithuanian designer Akieron, the club launched a series of exclusive merchandise collections that flew off the shelves. From limited-edition leather jackets to anniversary watches, Zalgiris’ creative campaigns helped them break sales records, grossing nearly €400,000 in merchandise sales.

The club also saw significant growth in sales, including a 54% increase in scarves and a 55% rise in jersey sales from the previous season. Zalgiris didn’t just focus on merchandise — they also ensured that their success benefited the community, with a portion of the proceeds from mascot-themed products going to charity. The anniversary campaign highlighted the club's ability to merge commercial success with meaningful fan engagement.

### Bronze Devotion Award: Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul was awarded the Bronze Devotion Award for their innovative use of the club mascot, Yellow, who became a central figure in their marketing strategy. Far beyond being just a mascot, Yellow was transformed into a true brand ambassador, generating over €1 million in total revenue through social media, merchandising, and fan engagement activities.

Fenerbahce’s mascot took part in team presentations, on-court activations, and even a partnership with HT Solar to promote sustainability. The club also launched a successful merchandising campaign, selling more than 25,000 Yellow-branded items and earning nearly €500,000 in profit — making it the highest-selling collection outside of basketball and football jerseys.

Yellow’s rise from mascot to digital star was nothing short of extraordinary, with the character gaining over 170,000 new followers across social media. Fenerbahce also took Yellow on a tour of 9 cities across Europe and Abu Dhabi, creating unforgettable experiences for their global fanbase.

Euroleague Basketball congratulates the three winning clubs for their outstanding marketing achievements and recognizes the efforts of all teams involved in delivering memorable and impactful marketing campaigns this season.

ECA General Assembly Convenes in Barcelona

Barcelona, July 3, 2025 — The shareholders of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) convened today in Barcelona for the ECA General Assembly.

During the meeting, Euroleague Basketball CEO Paulius Motiejunas provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing development of both the EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup. His report included key insights into the competitions’ sporting evolution, audience engagement, and commercial growth.

In addition, Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga and Director of Officiating Dani Hierrezuelo presented the annual officiating report. The presentation highlighted key performance indicators and outlined strategic priorities aimed at further enhancing officiating standards across both competitions.

The ECA General Assembly also reviewed and approved a series of proposals submitted by the ECA Board of Directors (See related [Board release](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/news/2025-26-euroleague-and-eurocup-season-teams-and-calendar-confirmed/)).

1\. 2025–26 Season Calendar: Approval of the proposed calendar, with both the EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup set to commence on September 30, 2025.

2\. Team Participation: Approval of the proposed list of participating clubs for the 2025–26 season, confirming 20 teams in each competition.

3\. Competition Bylaws: Approval of the official competition bylaws for the upcoming season, as well as of the officiating rules and criteria.

The decisions taken reaffirm the league’s commitment to stability, excellence, and continued growth as it prepares for the 2025–26 campaign.

ECA General Assembly convenes in Barcelona

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that Mr. Derya Yannier, General Manager of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, has been selected as the winner of the 2024–25 Gianluigi Porelli EuroLeague Executive of the Year award

Derya Yannier Named 2024–25 Gianluigi Porelli EuroLeague Executive of the Year 

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that Mr. Derya Yannier, General Manager of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, has been selected as the winner of the 2024–25 Gianluigi Porelli EuroLeague Executive of the Year award. 

This prestigious award recognizes the executive whose leadership and strategic decisions most effectively exemplify excellence across all areas of club management throughout the season. Key evaluation criteria include sporting success, business growth, fan experience, marketing innovation, and overall organizational impact. 

Mr. Yannier’s leadership has been instrumental in Fenerbahçe’s return to the top of European basketball. After reaching the EuroLeague Playoffs in the 2022–23 season and the Final Four in 2023–24, the club reached its pinnacle during the 2024–25 campaign. Fenerbahce finished second in the Regular Season standings, overcame Paris Basketball in the Playoffs, and ultimately lifted the EuroLeague championship trophy in Abu Dhabi following a decisive victory over AS Monaco — marking the club’s second EuroLeague title and its first since 2017. 

Beyond on-court success, the 2024–25 season was marked by significant off-court achievements for Fenerbahce under Mr. Yannier’s guidance. The club recorded a 10% increase in average game attendance and launched innovative marketing initiatives, including the widely acclaimed “Yellow the Canary” campaign. This brand strategy leveraged the team’s official mascot across digital, experiential, and cross-platform channels, creating a deeper emotional connection with the fanbase and setting a new benchmark for club engagement. 

Derya Yannier’s lifelong commitment to basketball spans both playing and executive roles. A former professional player for clubs including Ulkerspor, Besiktas, and Banvit, Yannier retired at age 28 due to injury. He subsequently transitioned into basketball management, first serving as General Director of Eskisehir Basket and later as Director of Men’s Leagues at the Turkish Basketball Federation. He joined Fenerbahce in 2021 as Assistant to then-General Manager Maurizio Gherardini, and was promoted to General Manager in 2022. 

The Gianluigi Porelli EuroLeague Executive of the Year award has been presented annually since 2005. Named after the legendary Virtus Bologna president and ULEB founder, the award honors those who shape Turkish Airlines EuroLeague clubs into sustainable and competitive success stories. Mr. Yannier becomes the second Fenerbahçe executive to receive this honor, following Maurizio Gherardini’s selection in the 2016–17 season. 

Euroleague Basketball congratulates Mr. Yannier for his outstanding contributions and visionary leadership.  

More news from Fenerbahce 

Derya Yannier Named 2024–25 Gianluigi Porelli EuroLeague Executive of the Year

Euroleague Basketball launched its annual week of workshops in Barcelona with meetings featuring the head coaches of EuroLeague clubs, continuing the tradition of collaboration, open dialogue, and future-focused planning among the league’s most influential figures.

EuroLeague coaches collaborate and reflect at 2025 workshop in Barcelona

Euroleague Basketball launched its annual week of workshops in Barcelona with meetings featuring the head coaches of EuroLeague clubs, continuing the tradition of collaboration, open dialogue, and future-focused planning among the league’s most influential figures.

The workshop was opened by Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga, who reflected on a remarkable 2024–25 season and thanked the coaches for their contributions to the continued growth of the competition.

"I would like to congratulate everyone for the amazing season that we finished, also to the teams who qualified to the Final Four, especially to Sarunas \[Jasikevicius\] and our season winner, Fenerbahce. I would like to congratulate the EuroCup winner, Dimitris \[Itoudis\]. I think you can see more in the details, but last season was amazing and with the numbers that we have seen, we showed what we can do," Bodiroga said. 

Following Bodiroga’s remarks, Euroleague Basketball CEO Paulius Motiejunas provided coaches with an in-depth review of the season and outlined the organization’s strategic vision moving forward, with emphasis on sustainable growth, product quality, and deeper engagement with fans across digital platforms.

"We are delighted to welcome you all to our headquarters after an historic season. Once again, we have taken the EuroLeague a step forward, celebrating record numbers in attendance, television and digital audience with an outstanding Final Four in Abu Dhabi, showing once again the Euroleague's tremendous potential to grow beyond its traditional markets," stated Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO. "I would like to thank all our Head Coaches for their continuous support in growing our League, delivering a top-level spectacle to all our fans. Looking ahead, the 2025-26 season promises to be even better with an expanded list of participating teams that will certainly raise the competitive level of the League even further."

One of the most dynamic segments of the workshop came during an extended session with the league’s officiating department, led by Dani Hierrezuelo, Senior Director of Officiating. Coaches and referees engaged in detailed discussion around criteria and game situations, aiming to ensure a shared understanding of rules and interpretations for the benefit of the game and its audience

“This is a great opportunity to get to know each other, to discuss difficult situations that we deal with through the years,” said Fenerbahce head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. “It's extremely important to move the game forward… to make it easier for the referees and for the fans to understand the game better.”

Valencia Basket head coach Pedro Martinez echoed that sentiment: “It is very good to try to unify the criteria so the coaches have all the information. And what's also sensational is that the refereeing department has the sensibility to listen to the coaches' opinions. In that sense, the EuroLeague is a model competition.”

For Jurica Golemac, head coach of EuroLeague newcomer Dubai Basketball, the meeting was an important first step: “The EuroLeague is the best competition in Europe and everybody wants to be a part of it… It’s very important to have these meetings, even more than once a year. It helps the organization, the players, the referees and the coaches. And the fans!”

Throughout the two-day session, the mood was both celebratory and forward-looking, as clubs prepare for another season of elite competition. With the continued support and input of its coaches, Euroleague Basketball reaffirmed its commitment to building a stronger, more unified competition - on and off the court.