Panathinaikos to leave the Euroleague this summer

Panathinaikos basketball club owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos has chosen a different way in European basketball by switching competitions. The Greek champions' strongman announced on Thursday that as of next season the Greens will swap the Euroleague for FIBA's Basketball Champions League.

"Panathinaikos is returning to where basketball should always have been... Final!"  Giannakopoulos wrote on Instagram, posting also the logo of FIBA.

The announced departure of Panathinaikos from the Euroleague created a shock at first in European basketball on Thursday, and it is certain this is no mere tactics by Giannakopoulos. However it is highly debatable whether this will create a further rift among the other Euroleague partners or whether other clubs will follow to the exit.

Until proven otherwise, six-time European champion and highly respected Panathinaikos will...

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