Dimitris Itoudis Calls for Euroleague Expansion to 30 Teams: Vision for New League Format with Playoffs and Conferences

Dimitris Itoudis, a two-time Euroleague champion coach with Olympiacos and CSKA Moscow, has made a notable statement in the European basketball community: the league needs to expand from its current 20-team format to 30 teams, while implementing a conference and playoff system as a standard. He positions this not merely as a growth in scale but as a foundation for financial stability and sustainable development of European club basketball. This call comes at a critical juncture for Euroleague, with expansion decisions under internal discussion. According to sources from executive meetings, the initial plan targets 24-26 teams before reaching the ultimate goal of 30. Itoudis, with over two decades of coaching experience at Europe's premier level, believes the current structure is limiting the league's development potential. Itoudis's philosophy on Euroleague expansion stems from practical observation: as team numbers increase, conference and playoff structures will create more meaningful schedules at the season's end. Rather than ending with a single championship game, he wants the European season to conclude with a multi-round playoff format, similar to the NBA model. This is a format he defines as the "pinnacle of basketball" — where every game carries elimination stakes and demands the highest level of player focus. Structurally, the conference system would allow 30 teams to be divided into groups based on geography or performance, reducing travel distances and increasing competitiveness within each division. The playoffs would then serve as the stage for the best teams from each conference to compete. Itoudis notes this structure would reduce lopsided losses in early-season play when caliber gaps between teams are most apparent. One notable aspect of Itoudis's vision is the desire to bring Russian teams back to Euroleague. Following geopolitical disruptions that forced CSKA Moscow, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and UNICS Kazan to suspend participation, the Greek strategist has spoken highly of Russian basketball's competitive level and views their return as essential for strengthening the league's depth and professional quality. He has not hidden this desire in public statements, though acknowledging it depends on factors beyond basketball's control. From a financial perspective, the expansion plan offers dual benefits for the Euroleague ecosystem. First, more teams mean broader distribution of revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales. Smaller clubs would gain access to Europe's premier competitive platform, attracting investment and improving competitiveness. Second, a larger scale creates a wider employment ecosystem for players, coaches, and referees. Itoudis emphasizes that expansion is not just about team numbers but about economic stability for the entire system. A positive signal from the governing body is FIBA's official green light for players, athletes, and referees to participate in international club competitions. This decision is viewed as a crucial stepping stone for team expansion, ensuring quality human resources can meet recruitment demands as team numbers grow. However, the final decision on league structure remains with Euroleague management and stakeholders. The current debate centers on whether existing teams will consent to the expansion plan. Some clubs worry that increasing team numbers could dilute overall competitive quality or dilute the sponsorship market. Established top-tier teams may view expansion as a potential threat to their competitive position. Itoudis, despite being the strongest advocate, acknowledges that consensus from all parties is a prerequisite for transforming vision into reality. From media and commercial perspectives, Itoudis's 30-team vision is generating significant attention. The conference and playoff format promises more competitively meaningful games, thereby increasing television audiences and digital engagement. Drawing from his experience at World Cups and Olympics, Itoudis understands that competition format has decisive influence on commercial appeal. Long-term, Itoudis expresses hope to witness Euroleague's development for at least another ten years. This is not merely a statement about league vision but reflects his personal commitment to European basketball. At 52, the Greek strategist remains at the peak of his career and ready to pioneer this reform. Overall, the plan to expand Euroleague to 30 teams with conferences and playoffs is in the idea-forming stage. Governance challenges, club consensus, and geopolitical factors still need resolution. However, with support from a heavyweight voice like Itoudis, this discussion has momentum to move toward concrete decisions in the near future. The question is no longer "whether Euroleague will expand" but "when and in what model.".