Image Credit: © Jimmy Ellis / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FC Barcelona Plan to Complete New Palau Blaugrana by 2028, Club President Confirms Possible Expansion of NBA will be Considered

A total of four teams will play in EuroLeague next season.

Image Credit: © Jimmy Ellis / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta talked about the future of Palau Blaugrana while talking about EuroLeague. Next season, a total of four teams, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Valencia Basket, and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz will engage in the Spanish tournament. In the tournament, Valencia will play at Roig Arena in September, Real Madrid at Movistar Arena, and Baskonia at Fernando Buesa Arena.

Barcelona, on the other hand, will play at the historic Palau Blaugrana. Blaugrana was opened in 1971 and underwent renovation in 1994 and 2016. He talked about the future of the venue while also stating that the club would undertake the possible expansion of the NBA in Europe. He said, “In the second quarter of next year, we’ll unveil the preliminary project. But there are other factors to consider. I attended a related meeting last night. There are rumors that the NBA might expand to Europe, and if that happens, arena standards will likely change.”

Joan Laporta Talks About Interests of Foreign Investors in Palau Blaugrana

The Club’s President also talked about the prospect of foreign investors in Blaugrana’s finances. There have been several discussions about getting an investor on board for shared ownership and operation, and operational control. He said, “We’ve received many offers from highly respected, mostly American companies, with impressive proposals. But we won’t share ownership.”

He added, “We’d consider partnering on event operations like concerts. Many companies have approached us and continue to do so. But again, if the NBA enters Europe, our arena will need to meet their standards.” Notably, there have been talks between the NBA and the FIBA about the process of adding a new league in Europe. However, Commissioner Adam Silver said that it may take at least a few more years to turn the ideas into execution.

EuroLeague

Joan Laporta

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.