ULEB
The Union of European Leagues of Basketball (ULEB) is a Europe-wide organization that coordinates professional basketball leagues across the continent, focusing on the development and management of the sport at the club level.[1] Founded on June 25, 1991, in Rome, Italy, by the leagues of Italy (Lega Basket Serie A), France (Ligue Nationale de Basket), and Spain (Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto), ULEB serves as a platform for collaboration with national basketball federations to address key issues in professional basketball, such as competition structures, player welfare, and commercial growth.[1] Its primary goal is to strengthen national championships as the foundation of European basketball while promoting high-level international club competitions.[2] Over the years, ULEB has expanded its membership, peaking at 11 leagues by 2014 and currently consisting of 10 leagues as of 2025, encompassing nations like Germany (Basketball Bundesliga), Greece (Basket League), Lithuania (Lietuvos krepšinio lyga), and Turkey (Basketbol Süper Ligi), among others, with the VTB United League of Russia suspended since 2022 due to international sanctions; though some earlier members such as Portugal, Austria, and the Adriatic League later departed.[1] A pivotal development occurred in 2000 when ULEB, in partnership with top clubs, established the modern EuroLeague on June 9 in Sitges, Spain, with its inaugural game played on October 16 of that year; this premier competition has since become one of the world's top club basketball tournaments, second only to the NBA in global prominence.[3] In 2002, ULEB launched the ULEB Cup (now known as the EuroCup), providing a secondary tier of elite European club competition, with its first game held on October 15.[1] ULEB's history also reflects tensions and collaborations within European basketball governance, including a notable rift with FIBA in the late 1990s that led to the creation of independent club-led structures, culminating in a 2016 partnership for the Basketball Champions League, where ULEB serves as a minority shareholder alongside FIBA and clubs.[4] Leadership transitions have included presidents Gian Luigi Porelli (1991–1998), Eduardo Portela (1998–2016), and the current holder, Tomas Van Den Spiegel (since 2016), under whose tenure ULEB transferred operational control of its competitions to Euroleague Commercial Assets in 2009 while retaining oversight roles.[1] Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, ULEB continues to advocate for sustainable growth in professional basketball, emphasizing innovation in formats like All-Star events—first held in 1992 in Madrid—and fostering international talent development.[1]History
Founding and Early Development
The Union of European Basketball Leagues (ULEB) was established on June 25, 1991, in Rome, Italy, by the professional basketball leagues of Italy (Lega Basket Serie A), France (Ligue Nationale de Basket), and Spain (Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto).[1] This founding marked the creation of a dedicated organization to represent the interests of Europe's top professional domestic leagues at a time when basketball was undergoing significant professionalization across the continent.[5] The initial purpose of ULEB was to promote professional basketball in Europe by coordinating league interests and addressing key operational challenges, including player transfers, broadcasting rights, and competition formats, while operating independently from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).[5] This independence allowed ULEB to advocate for the financial and sporting growth of clubs amid increasing player mobility—such as migrations from war-torn regions like Yugoslavia—and the rise of private television networks for greater visibility and revenue.[5] By focusing on these areas, ULEB sought to enhance the economic expansion of the sport in a post-Cold War era of European integration and growing American influence.[5] ULEB's first major event was the inaugural All-Star weekend in November 1992, held in Madrid, Spain, featuring players from the Italian and Spanish leagues.[1] This was followed by a second event in November 1993 in Rome, Italy, which drew 10,500 spectators, and a third in 1994 in Valencia, Spain, marking the formal participation of the French league.[1] A key early milestone came in 1996 with the joining of the Greek league (HEBA), strengthening ULEB's representation of Southern European professional basketball.[1] At its inception in September 1991, Gian Luigi Porelli was elected as ULEB's first president, a position he held until March 1998, with a primary focus on unifying the professional leagues and fostering collaborative development.[6]Creation of EuroLeague and Initial Expansion
In December 1999, the British Basketball League, Belgian League, and Swiss Basketball League joined ULEB, expanding its representation across Western Europe.[1] A pivotal moment came on June 9, 2000, when representatives from Europe's leading basketball clubs and ULEB member leagues gathered in Sitges, Spain, to announce the creation of the EuroLeague as a new premier club competition under ULEB's direct management.[1] This initiative emerged as a direct response to FIBA's longstanding oversight of European club competitions, which had limited the professional clubs' autonomy in areas such as sponsorship deals and television broadcasting rights, prompting ULEB to pursue a more commercialized and club-centric format.[7] The inaugural EuroLeague season commenced on October 16, 2000, with the first game featuring Real Madrid against Olympiacos in Madrid.[1] ULEB continued its growth in October 2001 by incorporating the German Basketball Bundesliga, Dutch Eredivisie, and Polish Basketball League, thereby strengthening its footprint in Central and Northern Europe.[1] To complement the flagship EuroLeague, ULEB launched the ULEB Cup in the summer of 2002 as a secondary tier for professional clubs, with its debut match played on October 15, 2002, between Darussafaka and Novo Mesto in Istanbul.[1] By June 2003, the Lithuanian Basketball League had also become a member, further broadening ULEB's influence in the Baltic region.[1]Later Developments and Governance Shifts
In July 2005, the Israeli Basketball Super League became a member of ULEB, marking an expansion into new geographic territories and strengthening the organization's representation in the Mediterranean region.[1] This addition followed the inclusion of the Lithuanian Basketball League in 2003 and reflected ULEB's ongoing efforts to broaden its network of professional leagues across Europe. A significant governance shift occurred in 2009 when ULEB transferred the management and property rights of the EuroLeague and ULEB Cup to Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA), a joint venture between Euroleague Basketball and the Euroleague Clubs Association.[1] This move transitioned ULEB from direct operational control to a supervisory and stakeholder role, allowing it to focus on league coordination and advocacy while retaining a minority shareholding in ECA.[8] The Russian VTB United League joined ULEB in July 2014, replacing the prior Professional Basketball League (PBL) and incorporating a major Eastern European competition into the fold.[1] This membership enhanced ULEB's influence in Russia and surrounding areas, promoting cross-border collaboration among professional leagues. By December 2022, ULEB welcomed the Finnish Korisliiga as its newest member and the return of the Swiss Basketball League (which had previously joined in 1999), further diversifying its composition to include Nordic representation and underscoring the organization's growth into smaller but competitive markets by the mid-2020s.[9] In terms of internal governance, Tomas Van Den Spiegel was unanimously re-elected as ULEB President in October 2024 during an extraordinary General Assembly, securing a third four-year term and continuing his leadership since 2016.[10] Reflecting this Belgian connection, ULEB established its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, to centralize operations and facilitate engagement with European institutions.[11] A pivotal moment in 2025 came on March 26, when ULEB issued a statement addressing ongoing discussions about the future of European basketball, stressing the essential role of league representation in decision-making processes and advocating for the continent's sporting model based on meritocracy and open competition.[12] In October 2025, ULEB hosted its inaugural Media & Innovation Seminar, emphasizing partnerships with industry leaders to advance media strategies and technological innovations in professional basketball.[13]Organizational Structure
Governance Bodies
The Union of European Basketball Leagues (ULEB) functions as an umbrella organization representing professional basketball leagues in Europe, with its internal governance centered on a hierarchical structure designed to facilitate collective decision-making and operational efficiency. Established in 1991, ULEB's headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium, serving as the central hub for its activities since inception.[11][1] The General Assembly constitutes the highest governing body of ULEB, comprising representatives from all member leagues, which collectively hold voting rights on strategic matters. This body convenes annually to deliberate and vote on key issues, including the election of the president and approval of major policies, ensuring democratic input from the broader membership.[14][10] The Executive Committee serves as the operational arm of ULEB, elected by the General Assembly to manage day-to-day affairs, implement decisions, and oversee organizational initiatives. As of 2023, it includes representatives from prominent member leagues in Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain, reflecting the influence of major European basketball markets. In September 2023, the committee was expanded by four additional members—elected during a General Assembly in Brussels—to enhance promotion and sustainability efforts: the Lega Basket Serie A (Italy), Basketball Super League (Israel), Hellenic Basketball Association (Greece), and BeNeLeague (Belgium and Netherlands).[14] ULEB's core functions encompass policy coordination with national federations to address professional basketball challenges, legal representation of member leagues in regulatory and dispute-related matters, and advocacy on pivotal issues such as player contracts and anti-doping protocols. These responsibilities support the harmonization of league operations, protection of competitive integrity, and advancement of the European sports model emphasizing meritocracy and open competition.[2][12]List of Presidents
The presidency of the Union of European Basketball Leagues (ULEB) is elected by unanimous vote at the organization's General Assemblies, with terms typically lasting four years.[10] Gian Luigi Porelli (Italy) served as the inaugural ULEB President from September 1991 to March 1998. During his tenure, he focused on unifying European professional basketball leagues and organized the first ULEB All-Star event in Madrid in November 1992, which helped promote the sport across member nations.[1][15] Eduardo Portela (Spain) held the position from March 18, 1998, to October 6, 2016, succeeding Porelli and becoming Honorary President thereafter. He oversaw the launch of the EuroLeague in 2000, significant expansions of ULEB membership, and navigated major conflicts with FIBA over control of European club competitions, culminating in a 2009 agreement that transferred ownership to the Euroleague Commercial Assets. In 2011, Portela marked ULEB's 20th anniversary with an open letter reflecting on its foundational successes alongside Porelli.[1][16][17] Tomas Van Den Spiegel (Belgium), a former professional player, has served as ULEB President since his election on October 6, 2016. He was re-elected unanimously for a second four-year term in 2020 and for a third consecutive term on October 23, 2024. In 2023 statements, he criticized the EuroLeague's dominance and advocated for a return to collaborative governance systems involving leagues and federations.[10][6][18]Membership
Current Member Leagues
As of 2025, ULEB consists of 12 active member leagues representing professional basketball organizations across Europe, focusing on coordination, governance, and promotion of the sport at the domestic level. These leagues span from southern powerhouses to northern expansions, contributing to ULEB's influence in European basketball development. Each member's profile includes its join date and key characteristics.- ACB (Spain): A founding member since 1991, the Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto operates Spain's premier professional basketball league, featuring elite clubs such as Real Madrid, which has dominated both domestically and in European competitions.[1]
- LNB (France): Also a founding member from 1991, the Ligue Nationale de Basket oversees France's top-tier league, including prominent teams like ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, known for its strong youth development and international success.[1]
- Lega Basket Serie A (Italy): Established as a founding member in 1991, this league represents Italy's highest professional basketball division, highlighted by clubs like Olimpia Milano, a historic powerhouse with multiple European titles.[1]
- HEBA (Greece): Joined in 1996, the Hellenic Basketball Clubs Association manages Greece's elite league, serving as home to basketball giants Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, both renowned for their passionate fan bases and continental achievements.[1]
- BBL (Germany): Admitted in 2001, the Basketball Bundesliga is Germany's leading professional league, including high-profile teams like Bayern Munich, which has elevated the league's competitiveness through investments in infrastructure and talent.[1]
- BNXT League (Belgium/Netherlands): Evolved from the Belgian league (joined 1999) and Dutch league (joined 2001), this binational professional league was formalized in 2021 to enhance cross-border competition and development in the Benelux region.[1]
- Polish Liga Koszykówki (PLK): Joined in 2001, the Polska Liga Koszykówki SA governs Poland's top basketball division, supporting a growing professional ecosystem with increasing international participation.[1]
- Swiss Basketball League: Originally joined in 1999 but ceased membership in 2016 before rejoining in 2022, this league represents Switzerland's premier professional basketball, emphasizing regional talent pipelines in a competitive alpine market.[19][9][1]
- Lietuvos Krepšinio Lyga (LKL, Lithuania): Admitted in 2003, the LKL is Lithuania's flagship professional league, renowned for its deep basketball culture and clubs that frequently compete at the European level.[1]
- Israel Basketball Super League: Joined in 2005, this league oversees Israel's top professional basketball, featuring teams with strong ties to international play and a history of producing NBA talent.[1]
- VTB United League: Incorporated in 2014, this multi-country league primarily includes Russian teams alongside participants from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and others, focusing on high-level regional competition and player development.[1]
- Korisliiga (Finland): Joined in 2022, Finland's top professional league marks ULEB's northernmost member, promoting basketball growth in a challenging climate with an emphasis on domestic sustainability.[9]
Former Member Leagues
The British Basketball League (BBL), representing professional basketball in the United Kingdom, became a member of ULEB in December 1999 alongside the Belgian and Swiss leagues.[1] This addition marked an early expansion effort to include emerging markets in Western Europe. However, the BBL later withdrew from ULEB membership, though the precise date and detailed circumstances of its departure are not specified in official records.[1] Other former members include:- Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (Portugal): Joined ULEB at an unspecified date but later departed; specific details on the tenure are not documented in primary sources.[1]
- Austrian Basketball League (Austria): Admitted as a member but withdrew at an unspecified date.[1]
- ABA League (Adriatic League): Representing clubs from the Adriatic region (primarily Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro), it was a member before departing; exact join and exit dates are not detailed.[1]
- National Basketball League (Czech Republic): Joined and later left ULEB; specific dates unavailable in official records.[1]