Movistar Plus+ to broadcast BKT EuroCup Playoffs

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that Movistar Plus+ will reinforce its Euroleague Basketball competitions portfolio in Spain by bringing Dreamland Gran Canaria's and Joventut Badalona's playoff games plus the BKT EuroCup Semifinals and Finals to the country's devoted basketball fans.

Movistar Plus+ will broadcast every BKT EuroCup fixture played by a Spanish team in addition to select semifinal games and the EuroCup Finals. 

The BKT EuroCup started the 2023-24 season with a revamped competition format in which the regular season reduced the number of teams advancing to the playoffs from eight to six, with the top two teams in each regular season group advancing directly to the quarterfinals. In addition, the semifinals and finals will be played in a best-of-three format instead of a single game. The eightfinal and quarterfinal phases maintain the single-game knockout format that has been unanimously celebrated by the fans as it brings a true basketball drama. 

Movistar Plus+'s broadcasts will start with the eighthfinals do-or-die game between Joventut and ratiopharm Ulm on March 5, followed by the reigning EuroCup champion, Gran Canaria putting its title on the line against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul on March 6.

The BKT EuroCup is the last basketball addition to the Movistar Plus lineup, which broadcasts Europe's premier club basketball competition, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague; the NBA, and the Spanish domestic league (ACB).

Euroleague Basketball and Sportpass, a fan engagement and gaming platform, have reached a collaboration agreement that will reinforce Euroleague Basketball's gamification strategy. Sportpass is a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, a global leader in gamification with a large portfolio of over 400 investments in Web3 projects.

Euroleague Basketball to amplify its gamification portfolio with Sportpass

Euroleague Basketball and Sportpass, a fan engagement and gaming platform, have reached a collaboration agreement that will reinforce Euroleague Basketball's gamification strategy. Sportpass is a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, a global leader in gamification with a large portfolio of over 400 investments in Web3 projects.

The collaboration will bring forth a Euroleague-themed web3 gaming platform that targets the Gen Z fanbase, merging the thrills and culture of sports in a digital offering with a number of micro-game experiences, rewards or in-game collectibles, among others.

Gamification has been a growth pillar in the Euroleague Basketball digital strategy in recent seasons, with a triple-digit year-on-year increase on the fantasy games portfolio, reaching a community of 4.3 million engaged fans.

Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Marketing and Communication Senior Director at Euroleague Basketball, stated "We are delighted to join forces with Sportpass and Animoca Brands, leaders in web3 products, to expand our gamification offering. The digital ecosystem is key to expand the EuroLeague brand and offer new ways for young fans to interact with the league. This collaboration marks an important step in growing our portfolio of gaming opportunities for fans to engage with the EuroLeague in different, innovative ways.”

Sportpass CEO Jordan Fogarty added: "Sportpass is the result of years of innovation in technology, gaming, and sports, placing the fan at its core. With a plethora of digital experiences, including gaming, rewards, and competitions, we are confident that EuroLeague fans will find what they are looking for. Our collaboration with the EuroLeague underscores our commitment to revolutionizing the sports entertainment landscape.”

Euroleague Basketball has renewed its partnership with Fantaking Interactive, the provider of the [EuroLeague](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) and [EuroCup](https://eurocupfantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) Fantasy Challenge, for an additional three years, with the new deal running until June 2027.

The collaboration between Euroleague Basketball and Fantaking Interactive has been in place since 2021, as Fantaking Interactive played an important role in the launch of a brand-new EuroLeague and EuroCup Fantasy Challenge game. 

“We are thrilled to renew our on-going collaboration with Fantaking and keep on building on the unprecedented success the Fantasy Challenge game has had ever since this partnership started. EuroLeague and EuroCup Fantasy Challenge products are two key assets of our gamification strategy as they allow fans to engage with the competitions in a different way, independently of their degree of knowledge on the game.” stated Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Marketing and Communication Senior Director at Euroleague Basketball. “Fantaking have a deep understanding on sports, basketball, and fantasy games, and are continuously striving to innovate, improve the users experience and adapt the game to an ever-changing digital landscape.”

Over the last three years, Euroleague Basketball and Fantaking Interactive have worked hand in hand in order to grow the fantasy game, which is now Euroleague Basketball’s number one digital product in terms of fan participation and is widely respected as a renowned fantasy product in Europe. 

"We are delighted to announce the renewal of our partnership with Euroleague Basketball for the next three years. The continued success of the Euroleague Fantasy Challenge, with an impressive user base of 170,000 fans, reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional fantasy sports experiences,” said Alessandro Molinari, Fantaking Interactive co-founder. 

“As Euroleague Basketball excels in driving fan engagement, our collaboration seamlessly aligns with their strategy. We are proud to stand alongside Euroleague Basketball as a trusted partner, contributing to the league's expansion and brand recognition. The journey so far has been extraordinary, and we eagerly anticipate achieving even greater milestones together in the years to come." 

Year on year, the number of users taking part in the Fantasy Challenge has increased significantly, as more people than ever are able to compete for prizes and, perhaps most importantly, bragging rights during every round of the regular season and also in the playoffs.

The interest in the EuroLeague and EuroCup Fantasy Challenge has also been aided by the introduction of the EuroLeague Fantasy Podcast with Frankie Sachs and Javier Gancedo, which is released once a week during the season and offers Fantasy Challenge managers the chance to hear from two experts from [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net).

Looking ahead, this three-year renewal includes a design revamp of the EuroLeague and EuroCup Fantasy Challenge, in addition to a new mobile app version in September 2024 which will increase the fan experience and functionalities.

This renewal includes a commitment to further improve the EuroLeague and EuroCup Fantasy Challenge experience for users.

Euroleague Basketball, Fantaking Interactive together until 2027

Euroleague Basketball announced today the signing of a comprehensive agreement with Sportradar Integrity Services – a global supplier of sports integrity solutions – to protect its competitions over the next two years.

Working in collaboration with Sportradar Integrity Services, a range of integrity measures will be deployed to help ensure first-class, multi-faceted integrity protections are in place for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, the BKT EuroCup, as well as the sport's premier under-18 competition, the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament.

Sports technology company Sportradar will draw upon their considerable 18-year experience and expertise to assess and monitor betting patterns on matches from Euroleague Basketball's three premier competitions using its AI-powered Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), to help detect any potential integrity issues. Sportradar will also be providing anti-match-fixing educational support to all relevant stakeholders through their Education & Prevention solutions to maximise the chance of preventing and deterring match manipulations, using unique in-person workshops supported by a tailored and targeted online education platform. Finally, Euroleague Basketball can call on the support of Sportradar Intelligence & Investigation Services as required.

Ibrahim Erkan, Euroleague Basketball's Sports Director, said: "Euroleague Basketball is fully committed to guarantee that all games are disputed under an unquestionable Fair Play environment, practicing a zero-tolerance policy for any inadequate behaviour. Sportradar Integrity Services' vast knowledge in the field of sports integrity is an invaluable control tool to reinforce the monitoring protocol deployed in our competitions to guarantee that they fulfil the most strict moral and ethical principles and values such as honesty, honour, dependability, and trustworthiness."

Andreas Krannich, Sportradar Integrity Services EVP, said: "It is a privilege to partner with Euroleague Basketball, the governing body of Europe's two premier men's basketball competitions. At Sportradar we have witnessed growing integrity issues across global basketball in recent years, so it is vitally important that such a significant player in global basketball has acted by opting to utilise our robust and varied integrity solutions. We look forward to supporting Euroleague Basketball's integrity programme for the next two years."

Euroleague Basketball partners with Sportradar Integrity Services

Euroleague Basketball mourns Dejan Milojevic

Milojevic was a pioneer player in the new EuroLeague at the turn of the century and mentor to great players since then. His passing at age 46 was confirmed by the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, for whom he was an assistant coach, on Wednesday evening. Milojevic was on a road trip with the Warriors in Salt Lake City, Utah, when he suffered a heart attack at a team dinner on Tuesday. The NBA had postponed Golden State's next game earlier on Wednesday.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are absolutely devastated by Dejan Milojević&#39;s sudden passing, <br><br>This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and an incredibly difficult time for his family, friends, and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him. <br><br>We grieve… <a href="https://t.co/9wAyb1JXz8">pic.twitter.com/9wAyb1JXz8</a></p>&mdash; Golden State Warriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/1747716875809870179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As a player, Milojevic was among the most versatile in the European elite during the first decade of the century. He played five EuroLeague seasons, three with Buducnost Podgorica and two with Partizan Belgrade, between 2000 and 2006. His 55 performance index rating for Partizan in a win over Olympiacos on Dec. 2, 2004, remains tied for the second-best performance in EuroLeague history. He also played a EuroCup season with Buducnost, in 2003-04, and another with Valencia Basket in 2007-08.

Shortly after retiring as a player, Milojevic commenced coaching in his native Belgrade with Mega Vizura, where he stayed for eight seasons and helped launch the careers of players like Vasilije Micic, a former EuroLeague MVP and two-time champion, and Nikola Jokic, the two-time NBA MVP, among many others. Milojevic returned to Buducnost in the middle of the 2020-21 season and helped the team reach the EuroCup Quarterfinals before losing the three-game series by 3 points to eventual champion AS Monaco.

May he rest in peace.

Euroleague Basketball joins the Serbian and global basketball family in mourning Dejan Milojevic, who passed away on Wednesday. 

Motorola, owned by global technology company Lenovo, becomes a Premium Partner of the EuroLeague and the EuroCup. The agreement brings Motorola and Euroleague Basketball together until 2026

Euroleague Basketball and Motorola announce landmark premium sponsorship

### Motorola, owned by global technology company Lenovo, becomes a Premium Partner of the EuroLeague and the EuroCup

### The agreement brings Motorola and Euroleague Basketball together until 2026

Euroleague Basketball and Motorola have announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement that will make Motorola the premium Mobile Smartphone Partner of both premier European basketball club competitions, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, throughout 2026. The news will be announced officially, on January 9 at one of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's classic rivalries between powerhouses Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

"We are thrilled to welcome Motorola and Lenovo to our growing family of strategic partners," Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO, said. "Just like Euroleague Basketball, Motorola is widely known for a rich history, innovation and passion. We are looking forward to joining forces in a mission to bring people together through technology and sport."

Motorola, a Lenovo company since 2014, has been at the forefront of innovation as a key factor in the transformation of smartphone technology. Euroleague Basketball, known for its premier basketball competitions across Europe, has consistently prioritised its fans and the unique atmosphere generated during its games. The collaboration with Motorola confirms this commitment, with a focus on meeting the evolving needs of the final user – the passionate basketball enthusiasts who make Euroleague events truly special.

Euroleague Basketball is the latest major global sports partnership agreed to by Motorola and Lenovo, joining other great organisations like Formula 1®, Ducati Corse, the Chicago Bulls, the Milwaukee Bucks, La Liga and the San Diego Padres, among others.

Fabio Capocchi, EMEA MBG General Manager, comments on the sponsorship: "In 2023, we saw tremendous success across EMEA for collaborations and partnerships that resonated with consumers' passion points. And now, we're kicking off the new year by becoming a sponsor of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague  and BKT EuroCup, the top European competitions for basketball clubs. This is a momentous occasion for Motorola and an important milestone in our brand evolution."

Fabio Capocchi added further: "We strive to be a consumer-first brand and through our latest partnership, we can connect with consumers across the Euroleague community and empower them to live life through their own lens and passions. We're thrilled to partner with Euroleague Basketball and bring to life our joint ambition of being generators of positive change."

Lara Rodini, Global Sponsorships & Activation Director at Lenovo: "We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Euroleague Basketball, which underlines once again the importance for our company to be part of the sporting world to improve our brand awareness and positioning on a global stage. The two companies share important common values such as passion, strong motivation, dedication, focus on results and team spirit, and we will partner together in a world where fans represent a long story of human, sporting, social and ethics values."

Lara Rodini continues: "We are entering a tremendous opportunity, through the sponsorship of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, to connect thousands of people – passionate followers living in various countries – by giving the possibility to tell their story as they see it. This partnership will also allow Motorola to create exclusive content and engage fans worldwide to celebrate the excitement of the best of European basketball and to build lasting, impactful moments"

As part of the agreement, the global and iconic Motorola brand will be displayed across all EuroLeague and EuroCup games, in-arena and in-broadcast, as well as in the competitions' digital platforms and content.

Further initiatives designed to elevate the experience of EuroLeague and EuroCup fans through the wider Lenovo and Motorola infrastructure of technological capabilities will be announced at a later date.

"I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Motorola, one of the most iconic mobile technology brands, that shares our core values of a fan-centric approach and continuous innovation. Euroleague Basketball takes pride in its extensive presence across the region, making us one of the few brands properties capable of delivering a truly pan-European platform," states Gawain Davies, Euroleague Basketball Senior Director Corporate Partnerships & Licensing. "We look forward to working collaboratively with Motorola to deliver an enhanced experience for Euroleague fans across our diverse markets."

This collaboration between Euroleague Basketball and Motorola signifies a shared dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation while keeping fans at the heart of the game. As the partnership unfolds, both organisations are excited to introduce groundbreaking advancements that will enhance the fan experience in the world of European basketball.

Euroleague Basketball dismisses investigation surrounding 2021 EuroCup Finals officiating

As announced on August 3, 2023, Euroleague Basketball conducted an internal investigation through an independent investigator, in light of the alleged intent to bribe one of the crew members officiating Game 2 of the 2021 EuroCup Finals, as publicly stated by one of these, Mr. Mykola Ambrosov.

As a result of the investigation, and based on the evidence that was gathered and analyzed, it is ruled that there is no clear evidence that allows to establish an attempt of bribing, which therefore renders the case inconclusive against the related individuals, and has been therefore dismissed.

Euroleague Basketball remains committed to protecting the integrity of its competitions, applying the strictest monitoring protocols to detect any possible acts that may threaten the fair play principles which sit at the core of its values.

The pregame show also won top honors in the sporting events category at the BEA Italia ceremony. This marks the seventh award in the past five years that the Final Four pregame shows, produced in partnership with Filmmaster, have won.

At the 10th annual BEA Italia, held at the Auditorium in Rome on Wednesday, November 22, the Final Four pregame show [beat out the Ferrari World Finals 2022](https://besteventawards.it/eubea_events/2023-turkish-airlines-euroleague-final-four-kaunas/) (silver) and the pregame show for the international football match between Italy and England in Naples in March 2023 (bronze).

One day later, the Final Four pregame show [was chosen second for the BEA World](https://beaworldfestival.com/eubea_events/2023-turkish-airlines-euroleague-final-four-kaunas/), out of 15 finalists. The FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremonies won, while the Final Four pregame show was ahead of the Heineken Village from the F1 race in Brazil (bronze), the UEFA Champions League Kick Off Show and the FIFA Fan Festival, among others.

Final Four pregame show takes silver at World Best Event Awards

The pregame show, called ‘Echoes of Glory’, was designed to express an energetic wave that, generated by the DJ’s console, spanned across the court, resonating throughout the benches and spreading the arena’s energy also towards those fans following the event from television. Echoes of Glory fully represents the essence of sport production at its best: moments of great audience engagement, where entertainment becomes the central element of the experience itself. The outstanding live performances, their perfect combination with technical innovation and Augmented Reality, the heart-felt passion that basketball evokes in its fans and Filmmaster’s expert know-how were essential ingredients to engage the audience.

In total, the BEA World featured 83 agencies from 30 countries with nearly 200 shortlisted projects. Euroleague Basketball and Filmmaster will join forces again for the pregame show at the 2024 Final Four in Berlin, Germany, which promises to be a world-class event once again.

The pregame show at the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania, produced by Filmmaster, was chosen as the silver medal recipient in the category of sporting events at the World Best Event Awards (BEA World).

Euroleague Basketball has approved that Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. will play all of its upcoming home games at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Serbia's capital, Belgrade. 

Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. to play its EuroCup home games in Belgrade, Serbia

Euroleague Basketball has approved that Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv will play all of its upcoming home games at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Serbia's capital, Belgrade. Hapoel will play its first home game there against Joventut Badalona on November 22 at 19:00 Local Time. 

 

This decision has been taken following the request of Euroleague Basketball to present an alternative arena located out of Israel to host its upcoming BKT EuroCup home games, given the impossible nature of hosting games in Tel Aviv due to security concerns derived from the ongoing armed conflict in the area. All Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv home games played in Belgrade will take place behind closed doors until further notice, as decided by Euroleague Basketball.

 

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv has received the support of the Belgrade Municipality and the Serbian Government and will take the necessary security measures to protect the integrity of all individuals, which remains the ultimate priority for Euroleague Basketball and its clubs.

 

Euroleague Basketball will continue to monitor the evolution of the situation, staying in contact with all related parties, and will announce any modifications regarding the above decisions if necessary.