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Fournier believes that European basketball needs a better financial model, but questioned whether NBA involvement would preserve the atmosphere that makes it distinctive. “I think Europe needs a better business model. At the same time, the atmosphere is incredible. If the NBA comes, it will want to change certain things. If you lose that, you will lose the craziness of European basketball. They’ll look at what works best from a business perspective, with teams in attractive cities like London, Manchester and Rome. Personally, I don’t see it.”
Fournier was also asked about reported interest from the San Antonio Spurs before he extended his Olympiacos contract. He said any such discussions would have been handled by his agent. “I have no idea. My agent handles those things. I told him this would be my last stop. I don’t know whether that report is true.”
The involvement of owners Panagiotis and Giorgos Angelopoulos has also stood out, particularly compared with his NBA experiences. “In the NBA, you barely have a relationship with the owners. The difference is huge. You see them once or twice a year. I don’t know how it works at other European teams, but here they’re always present. They trust the coach, management and players, and they give us freedom. They’ve invited me to their homes. I went to Giorgos’ house in Mykonos, and I also had a meal with Panagiotis there.”
Surprisingly, there is one international club that has a winning record against NBA competition, and it's one that hasn't even played in the Euroleague since 2017-18. That would be Unicaja of Spain, which currently competes in Liga ACB and the Basketball Champions League, and which has never even finished Top 2 in a Euroleague campaign.
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The NBA is moving toward agreements with a number of European soccer powerhouses to help stand up a new, continental basketball league in the Old Country, four sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Athletic. The NBA has long courted the deep pockets and branding strength of some of Europe’s top soccer clubs as anchor members of NBA Europe, which is supposed to launch next fall. Those talks have been serious for months, but according to sources from both sports who spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations are ongoing, recent events are strong signs of momentum propelling the NBA toward deals with various soccer giants.
“When the NBA tried to settle with Steve Ballmer, and they said, ‘Hey we have a narrow scope, we have undeniable evidence, we want to just make sure that you have the opportunity to take your punishment, admit wrongdoing, and let us all move on.’ Steve Ballmer — according to everything that we’ve seen now play out in public after that ESPN story two weeks ago — decided to fight,” Torre said on the Dan Patrick Show. “And the NBA said, well in that case, we’re going to do something that perhaps caught Steve Ballmer by surprise. They found a way to settle with Kawhi Leonard and the Players’ Union…They got Kawhi to settle.”
Dan Woike: According to a source with knowledge - there is no appeal/arbitration process for the Clippers to pursue with the NBA. It's not a right teams have. The NBPA could've pursued arbitration, but it accepted findings and punishments. They'd need relief elsewhere.
Shams Charania: The NBA's rulings are final -- there is no formal appeal or arbitration process available to the Clippers with the league. LA's only outlet to fight the punishment is in court.
Marc Stein: One source briefed on the situation tells @TheSteinLine that there is no avenue within NBA bylaws for the Clippers to pursue an appeal of today’s ruling and penalties. It’s believed that the Clippers will have to mount any appeal or arbitration case through external channels.
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Jake Fischer: Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation have long indicated that if the NBA levied any significant punishment against the Clippers, Los Angeles would strongly pursue arbitration. This is a statement from an organization ready to battle with the league office.
Law Murray: From the LA Clippers On behalf of the LA Clippers: We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it’s fairness and accuracy. For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence. We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.
Nicole Auerbach: NEWS: The SEC bans not just NFL players but NBA and G League too:
Mike Vorkunov: The NBA has had 13 control sales since 2019. That's 13 times a team has been sold and changed control owners. That blows away the NFL (3) and MLB (5). Lakers appreciated 25% in a year. Timberwolves tripled in value in 5 years. NBA record price nearly sextupled in 7 years.