The basketball club Cibona will not participate in the ABA League next season after Partizan and Crvena zvezda rejected the conditions for their participation. At the ABA League assembly, it was decided that Cibona and Mornar, who were relegated last season, must pay a special invitation fee to participate, which Cibona refused due to financial reasons. Partizan, Crvena zvezda, Cedevita Olimpija, FMP, Železnik, and Mega voted to send Cibona and Mornar to a lower tier competition, while Budućnost, Studentski centar, Krka, and Zadar opposed. This decision may lead to a blockade of the league, as Partizan and Crvena zvezda are part of the league’s ownership structure and can block the competition. In case of a blockade, the ABA League would have to dissolve the current organization and open a new one. Cibona was relegated from the ABA League for the first time in its history last season, which is a significant blow to the Zagreb club that does not want to play in a lower tier.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the financial struggles of Cibona and criticize the decision of the bigger clubs like Partizan and Crvena zvezda for pushing smaller clubs out of the league. They highlight the potential negative impact on regional basketball unity and the exclusion of historic clubs due to financial barriers.
Center: Center-leaning reports focus on the procedural aspects of the ABA League’s decision, presenting the facts about the voting and the financial requirements. They provide a balanced view of the conflict between maintaining league standards and the challenges faced by clubs like Cibona.
Right: Right-leaning outlets stress the importance of financial responsibility and competitiveness in the league. They support the decision to relegate clubs that cannot meet financial obligations and emphasize the need for a strong, sustainable league structure, even if it means excluding traditional clubs like Cibona.
