19.02.2026 18:10
Hidayet Türkoğlu, President of the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF), stated that he believes the league that NBA and FIBA plan to establish together in Europe will add value to European basketball. Türkoğlu mentioned that they plan to bring an NBA game to Turkey and host NBA teams at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center.
Turkey Basketball Federation (TBF) President Hidayet Türkoğlu stated that he believes the league planned to be jointly established by the NBA and FIBA will add value to European basketball. President Türkoğlu answered questions from AA reporter regarding the NBA European project and the organization of an NBA game in Istanbul.
'NBA WILL ADD GOOD VALUE TO EUROPEAN BASKETBALL' Supporting the league that NBA and FIBA plan to establish jointly in Europe, Hidayet Türkoğlu said, "It is evident that whenever the NBA is involved, it will definitely add value. The global brand of the NBA, its value, organizational volume, and economic power will surely reflect here as well. The NBA has a good relationship with FIBA. Hopefully, they will also join with a formula that will add more value to European basketball. Otherwise, we may face a very complex process. Even now, there are already four organizations. The arrival of another organization could bring some complex processes, but the goal here is to elevate European basketball to better places. One of the best capable of doing this is the NBA. Currently, the NBA is the largest organization in the world. I believe that when they come here, they will add good value to European basketball." he said.
'EUROLEAGUE HAS NO REVENUE-GENERATING CONTRIBUTION' President Türkoğlu stated that EuroLeague has no revenue-generating contribution to clubs. Reminding that he has criticized the European League, which has had many disagreements with FIBA, especially regarding the match schedule for many years, Türkoğlu used the following expressions: "The special nature of EuroLeague comes from the value of the clubs it includes. The meeting of Fenerbahçe Beko, Anadolu Efes, and other world-class clubs in another organization will also add value to that organization. EuroLeague has no revenue-generating contribution. Clubs are complaining more and more every day, and they are trying to turn in a different direction. They are making agreements with Abu Dhabi. They are trying to generate money from there in some way to increase their brand value. If the NBA presents a good economic picture here, our clubs in EuroLeague will look more favorably at the NBA European project. There is almost a tenfold difference between the money our clubs spend and the money they receive. You say, 'We are the best organization in Europe,' but this is something that is only prioritized by 13 A-licensed teams. It is clear that only these teams are winning and others are not. I am sometimes surprised that they still see themselves as the best organization. If the NBA comes up with a formula to support our clubs in Europe economically with FIBA, I think they will lead there."
'WE ARE THINKING OF BRINGING AN NBA GAME TO OUR COUNTRY' Hidayet Türkoğlu stated that they want to host an NBA game in the coming years. Emphasizing that he met with NBA officials during the match played between Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin, the capital of Germany, in January, Türkoğlu said, "Hopefully, we are thinking of bringing an NBA game to our country (Istanbul) like it is held in Berlin and London in the coming years. We also discussed the preseason camps regarding hosting NBA teams at this facility (Turkcell Basketball Development Center). We had a few initiatives to hold a camp here with the USA or prepare for friendly matches before the FIBA 2027 World Cup. In the coming days, the NBA representative for Europe will come to Istanbul. We will meet with him again. In this regard, we will have more detailed discussions. I believe that in the upcoming process, we will reach a point where we will have more frequent meetings with the NBA and organize joint events." he evaluated.