Disappointed and deeply unhappy with her handling Euroleague in her case Dubai BCappeared o Dejan Kameniacevic.
The general manager of the United Arab Emirates team has revealed that Europe’s top league it has closed its… doors and that he does not see – at least in the immediate future – the participation of Dubai BC there.
From there, the Bosnian referred to his team’s budget and made it clear that its goal is not unreasonable expenses as football’s Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City do, but generating revenue through a sustainable project.
“Our project is different. We had 20 opportunities to buy a team from the Euroleague or the Adriatic league, but we didn’t. We are not like Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City in football. We could have created a league in Dubai and signed the best players like they do in Saudi Arabia in football, but we didn’t. Dubai is a commercial brand like Adidas or Nike, as it aims to make money. We don’t want to spend recklessly. We have an impressive stadium and a quality area, so it is easier to sell the rights and have good sponsors“, the Bosnian GM initially told “El Correo” and added:
“I categorically deny all that is heard about money laundering, oil and human rights. All this is nonsense, lies and shows a lack of culture and knowledge. It is like saying that Spain is the same as France or Lithuania as Russia».
About the team’s budget and that it would cost 4 million euros: “He lied about that and I apologize. We spent €3.25m on the team as a lot of people wanted to come to Dubai. We feel amazed at the desire of such good players who wanted to come with their families feeling safe, with a good quality of life and not for the money. That’s why we keep the remaining 750,000 euros, if we need them in the future».
For the scenarios circulating regarding the team’s participation in the Euroleague directly or through the Eurocup: “At the moment we are in the Adriatic league. It is one of the prospects for the expansion of the team in the future. All sports are in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where Dubai is also located. We have NBA matches here and in 2027 we will host the World Cup. The only thing missing is the Euroleague. So, either they are very smart there, or… And at the same time they brag about their financial capabilities. I wouldn’t want to say anything more about it, as I would start a lot of… fires».
He then revealed Dubai BC has offers from five competitions to play in the 2025/26 season and none of them are the EuroLeague: “We will have a big problem with the choice of organization. Of all five leagues, the Euroleague is not on the list. The only deadline we have set for ourselves is to know where we will be advertising next season in one of these competitions, along with the Adriatic league».
Regarding the negotiations with the Euroleague: “We have been negotiating with the Euroleague for over three years. We spent many hours and energy to explain our project to them and make them understand it. It was not a problem for us, but it is a problem for the Euroleague and its situation. I think that at the moment they are in a situation where they cannot accept someone, until they fix the situation inside their… home. But even if they make it, it is not certain that they will be available».
On the reluctance of teams to play in Dubai which requires up to seven hours of flight time: “I don’t completely agree with this, because Europe has many groups with almost the same flight times. Complaining about the city with the most direct flights in the world? Between the Euroleague, the Eurocup and the Adriatic league there are four cities that do not have a direct flight. Why not Dubai and yes to Russia, Canary Islands or Israel? They should build us a monument we want to play in Europe and we want to give them a promotional and sporting level they have never seen».
With the current data, Dubai BC will not enter the Euroleague, according to Kameniasevich: “It won’t happen right now. If it depended on Baskonia, Real or Barcelona yes, but not everyone. Spain has impressed me with its perspective. Even Valencia. They try to find more resources to survive. They believe we are the solution. But, the Euroleague in general does not believe us and thinks that it is on the right track. I feel bad that we are not facing this together, because it is known that the NBA wants to come to Europe and intends to organize a tournament».
Source: Sport Fm
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