Dubai to join ABA League from next season
The long-awaited decision has finally been made, and Dubai will join the ABA League starting next season, as reported by Meridian Sport.
According to the report, nine clubs voted in favor of Dubai’s inclusion at today’s Assembly, while Partizan was against it, and Buducnost did not appear at the meeting.
A week ago, the decision was postponed at the clubs’ meeting in Zagreb, and the clubs had seven days to finalize it. Finally, they decided in favor of Dubai joining the ABA League, with the vast majority of the clubs in support.
In the next season, there will be some changes. The ABA League will feature – besides the 13 teams that secured their place by avoiding relegation in the current competitive year – the champion of the ABA 2 league. That means a total of 14 teams. The 15th spot will be contested by the last-placed team in ABA 1 and the runner-up of the ABA 2 league. Dubai will occupy the 16th place.
Now, the path is clear for the EuroLeague to officially confirm the addition of the Dubai team, which would at least play in the BKT EuroCup next season.
It has to be noted, per Eurohoops sources, that the presence of Dubai in the ABA League will not affect the qualification process of the local teams in the EuroLeague or the EuroCup. Dubai is considered a special case and the status quo for the rest of the ABA League teams will not change.
