Maccabi Assured of Euroleague Spot Through 2012

By Amy Samin

During a meeting of Euroleague club and European national league team representatives, held on Tuesday in Rome and also attended by Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv chairman of the board Shimon Mizrahi, decisions were made regarding the strategic plan for the period 2009 – 2012, which was first proposed in July of 2008.
Among the various decisions made was that the thirteen top-ranked teams would receive a long-term A License, assuring a place in the Euroleague for at least the next three seasons (through the 2011/12 season).
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv had the honor of receiving the highest ranking of the teams which have been top-ranked since the switch to the 24 team system, which was instituted during the 2002/03 season, based on the following criteria: sports results, television income generated in the team’s home market, and arena attendance. The plan for the structure and assignment of licenses was approved by a wide margin, 23 – 5.
In addition, a Euroleague Shareholders Executive Committee was formed, and Mr. Shimon Mizrahi was elected to that board and will serve for the next three years.

In addition to the new structure of the thirteen top-ranked teams (with Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv at the top), the new strategy will include a second tier of ten teams which will receive a one-year B License, with the 24^th team of the structure being the winner of the Eurocup.
It was further decided at the meeting that a new Qualifying Round would be added, from which two teams would qualify for the Regular Euroleague Season.
Therefore, starting next season, the Euroleague would be opened up to 30 teams when including the Qualifying Round.
This new system would allow nearly double the number of national champions to participate in the top European competition than the current system.

After the meeting, Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv chairman of the board, Shimon Mizrahi said, “We are proud to have won this honor and the respect of the top teams in the Europe leagues, in that we are in the top position and have won the top level of License.
I would also like to express my thanks for being elected to the Euroleague Shareholders Committee.”