Dimitris Itoudis Advocates Euroleague Expansion to 30 Teams With Conferences and Playoffs

Euroleague coach Dimitris Itoudis has publicly expressed his desire to expand the league from its current 20 teams to 30. According to him, this expansion is not only a natural development but also necessary to bring the league to its peak with a conference structure and playoff rounds. Itoudis emphasized that with 20 teams, Euroleague has not fully exploited the potential of European basketball, and he hopes the league will conclude with a playoff round rather than just a final game at the end of the season. He also expressed hope that the league will exist for at least ten more years, showing his trust in the long-term development of the league. The current context of Euroleague is an important stage where European teams are facing financial pressures and intense competition from other leagues. With 20 teams, the league often faces issues of fairness, with many top teams easily defeating weaker ones from the early rounds, leading to some games lacking excitement. Itoudis believes that if expanded to 30 teams, the league will have additional conferences, where teams are divided into groups for group stages, creating more balanced matches. He believes this structure will help younger or rising teams participate and increase the overall quality of the league. The return of Russian teams is a key part of Itoudis' expansion plans. He expressed his desire for Russian teams to return to Euroleague because it will bring depth to the league. Russian teams were once strong opponents, bringing many exciting games and raising the overall level of play. Itoudis hopes FIBA will continue to support this development, as FIBA has already given permission for players, coaches, and referees to participate in Euroleague, creating a foundation for team participation. According to Itoudis, expanding Euroleague will bring financial stability to the clubs. With more teams, the league will attract more players, coaches, and referees, creating new sources of income from ticket sales, broadcasting, and advertising contracts. He believes the increase in the number of teams will reduce pressure on current clubs, helping them focus on developing young players and preparing for European competitions. Itoudis believes that with the new structure, the league will become fairer, reducing the problem of top teams easily defeating weaker ones from the early rounds. Speaking of his vision, Itoudis affirmed that Euroleague is moving towards the future with playoff games. He considers this the pinnacle of basketball, where teams must compete continuously to qualify for the next round. He hopes the league will have more high-quality players, as more teams will create more positions for young talents. Itoudis also reminded that despite some controversy about whether the expansion will be accepted, he believes this is the right direction. He hopes the relevant parties will make a decision soon, as this change will benefit the entire European basketball ecosystem. In the current context, Euroleague is facing many challenges such as dense schedule, injury pressure, and competition from the NBA. Expanding to 30 teams will help the league have more time for teams, reducing the load for star players. Itoudis believes that with the conference structure, teams will have more opportunities to play, developing skills and physical fitness. He also hopes that the return of Russian teams will bring many exciting games, attracting more viewers and sponsors. Itoudis also expressed hope that Euroleague will continue to develop in the coming years. He wants this league to become the top destination for European talents, where young players can develop and compete at the highest level. With 30 teams, the league will have more games, more statistics, and more opportunities for teams to analyze and improve. He believes that, whether as a coach, he will continue to support this league until he can see it exist for at least ten more years. This change not only affects the teams but also the entire European basketball industry. Many players will have more opportunities to play, many coaches will have more experience, and many referees will participate in the major league. Itoudis hopes that, with this expansion, Euroleague will become more attractive, attracting fans from many European countries and beyond. Despite some controversy about the expansion, Itoudis still believes this is a necessary step. He emphasized that with 20 teams, the league has not reached its maximum potential, and expanding will bring benefits to everyone. He hopes the relevant parties will make a decision soon, as this change will bring many benefits to European basketball. In conclusion, coach Dimitris Itoudis is one of the strongest supporters for expanding Euroleague. He believes that with 30 teams, the league will have a conference structure and playoffs, making it fairer and more exciting. The return of Russian teams and FIBA support will help the league develop stronger. Itoudis hopes that Euroleague will exist for at least ten more years, and he is ready to participate to help this league go further. This change is not just about the number of teams but about the quality of play and the development of European basketball.