By Amy Samin During a meeting of Euroleague club and European national league team representatives, held on Tuesday in 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 24th<\/SUP> team of the structure being the winner of the Eurocup. After the meeting, Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv chairman of the board, Shimon Mizrahi<\/B> said, \u201cWe are proud to have won this honor and the respect of the top teams in the
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<\/SPAN>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).
<\/SPAN>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\u2019s home market, and arena attendance. The plan for the structure and assignment of licenses was approved by a wide margin, 23 \u2013 5.
<\/SPAN>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.
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<\/SPAN>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.
<\/SPAN>Therefore, starting next season, the Euroleague would be opened up to 30 teams when including the Qualifying Round.
<\/SPAN>This new system would allow nearly double the number of national champions to participate in the top European competition than the current system.
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<\/SPAN>I would also like to express my thanks for being elected to the Euroleague Shareholders Committee.\u201d