Giannakopoulos calls for CSKA's return and criticizes Olympiacos over NBA stance

The power struggle inside EuroLeague has entered a public phase as Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the wealthy owner of Panathinaikos, used Instagram Stories to deliver two major messages. First, he wants CSKA Moscow to return to EuroLeague, calling the Russian club an essential part of European basketball. Second, he criticized Olympiacos and several other clubs for opposing NBA investment in or integration of EuroLeague. His statements were widely relayed by international media but have not yet been independently verified by EuroLeague or the clubs involved. According to the original article, this is not a story about tactics or on-court performance, but a story about league governance and club politics. Giannakopoulos did not discuss defense or offense, nor did he talk about players or coaches. He focused on restructuring power within EuroLeague, building an alliance with CSKA Moscow, implicitly pulling Real Madrid to his side, and turning Olympiacos into the obstacle. This development reflects an important reality: EuroLeague is divided into two opposing blocs around the question of whether the NBA should become more deeply involved in European basketball. The original article shows Giannakopoulos posted a photo with Andrey Vatutin, the president of CSKA Moscow. This detail carries clear political meaning. Two club leaders appearing together in the context of CSKA's exclusion from EuroLeague suggests an executive-level alliance is emerging. Panathinaikos and CSKA may not agree on everything, but they both want to change the current order. Giannakopoulos also mentioned Real Madrid as one of the great competitors, along with Panathinaikos and CSKA, creating a symbolic trio of European basketball. This is a subtle way of saying that without these three clubs, the European champion title would lose its real value. A notable point is how Giannakopoulos spoke. He not only defended his own stance but also directly attacked opposing clubs. In his view, clubs that oppose NBA investment are acting out of self-interest because they are well treated in the current system and fear losing status if major changes occur. He even mocked that some owners measure success by how much money is lost at the end of the year, implying they are rich from inherited wealth rather than from building sustainable clubs. This framing creates a battle between those who view basketball as a real business and those who view it as a toy for the super-rich. Giannakopoulos has said basketball is not a toy for rich children. This statement is both provocative and ironic because he himself is a billionaire heir. However, the way he uses this message shows a sophisticated media strategy. He wants to distance himself from owners who are seen as wasting money, while linking his stance to the image of a protector of European basketball identity. He praised EuroLeague management at certain points, but immediately afterward attacked other clubs. This suggests he is trying to split the league office from the opposing clubs in order to isolate his opponents. An important detail running through the original article is the phrase now without Jordi. Jordi here is Jordi Bertomeu, the long-time former CEO of EuroLeague, who was the center of power in the league for many years. After his departure, EuroLeague found itself without a strong leader capable of mediating conflicts between clubs. This power vacuum gives owners like Giannakopoulos an opportunity to expand their influence while making strategic decisions more difficult. When no one acts as referee, disputes between owners are more likely to escalate into public conflict. The question of whether CSKA Moscow returns is actually a political question more than a sporting one. CSKA is a club with rich tradition, multiple titles, and a place among the top contenders. However, due to geopolitical conflict and sanctions related to Russia, CSKA was excluded from European competitions. Giannakopoulos's call for CSKA's return is not simply sporting admiration. It could be part of a larger deal in which CSKA returns in exchange for supporting NBA integration. In other words, the two issues may be tied together in the same political package, making any solution more complex and costly. On the opposition side, the original article only says there are Olympiacos and a couple more teams. This number has not been independently verified. The actual number of opposing clubs could be smaller or larger than Giannakopoulos described. Olympiacos is the eternal rival of Panathinaikos in Greek basketball, so Giannakopoulos's public attack on Olympiacos may stem from both sporting rivalry and strategic disagreement. Naming Olympiacos publicly turns a policy debate into a personal conflict between owners. This increases the risk of a long-lasting rift that will be difficult to heal through ordinary internal meetings. The NBA acts as an external factor changing the entire landscape. EuroLeague has long been operated as a model where clubs co-own and co-decide. The NBA, by contrast, is a centralized organization operating like a corporation. This difference in philosophy makes cooperation difficult. Giannakopoulos seems to believe the NBA wants to bring EuroLeague into its universe, and if that happens, globally known clubs like Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, or CSKA would benefit greatly. Conversely, smaller clubs fear losing control, being relegated, or even being eliminated from the new system. Risk analysis shows the current tension is quite high. Giannakopoulos is betting his personal reputation on this fight. If he succeeds, he will become the person who reshapes EuroLeague. If he fails, he may be isolated in a league that depends on consensus. His media punch could backfire if silent clubs feel forced to choose sides. When an internal debate is taken to social media, parties find it harder to compromise because of pride. This means the conflict could last longer and damage the shared brand of EuroLeague. Another factor to monitor is Real Madrid's reaction. Giannakopoulos mentioned Real Madrid as an implicit ally, but there is no evidence Real Madrid has officially supported this view. If Real Madrid publicly sides with Panathinaikos, the balance of power will shift decisively. If Real Madrid remains silent or opposes, Giannakopoulos will lose a key pillar of his alliance. This possibility requires close monitoring in the coming weeks. From a media perspective, the original article is a typical lobbying story. The only source is Giannakopoulos himself, who has a direct interest in the outcome. Therefore, every figure and statement about the number of opposing teams needs independent verification. The real picture may be much less dramatic than he describes. But regardless of accuracy, the event has exposed an important reality: EuroLeague is entering a turbulent transition period. The spillover effect is not limited to EuroLeague. If the NBA truly invests in or integrates EuroLeague, the media market, broadcast rights, and sponsorship will change dramatically. Clubs with global brands will benefit more, while smaller teams may be left behind. This explains why the battle between owners is so fierce. This is not just about titles; it is about allocating future resources. European basketball stands at a crossroads, and decisions made in the coming months will shape the league for decades. Giannakopoulos clearly wants to be the central figure of this transformation. He uses strong language, calling opponents people who fear change, while presenting himself as the defender of true basketball values. However, observers need to stay calm. The words of an owner campaigning for his own interests cannot replace independent evidence. Who wins or loses this battle is still unknown, but EuroLeague will certainly not be the same. CSKA's return, the NBA's role, Real Madrid's stance, and Olympiacos's response will be the four most important variables to follow. In this context, the silent clubs will likely be forced to speak. When a powerful owner like Giannakopoulos asks questions publicly, maintaining neutrality becomes difficult. If enough clubs support the NBA, the integration plan may advance quickly. If the opposition is strong enough, everything will fall into deadlock. The final outcome depends on closed-door meetings, behind-the-scenes deals, and each side's ability to persuade. The only thing that can be confirmed now is that EuroLeague is experiencing one of its most turbulent periods since Jordi Bertomeu left the leadership position. The original article concludes that the information value of the event lies in exposing the internal division, not in the reliability of each statement. Giannakopoulos may be exaggerating the degree of opposition to create pressure, or he may be telling the truth. Either way, EuroLeague's leadership crisis has become public. European basketball fans will have to follow this story for many months. In the basketball world, on-court battles are often dramatic, but battles in the boardroom can be even more intense.