At its meeting on October 29, the League Council elected Andrey Leonidovich Kostin, President and Chairman of the Management Board of VTB Bank, as Honorary President of the League.
The meeting was attended by the League’s founders, members of the League Council, heads of participating clubs, League President Sergey Kushchenko, and CEO Ilona Korstin.
The title of Honorary President reflects Andrey Kostin’s special role in the establishment and development of the VTB United League. VTB Bank has been the title partner of the tournament since its inception. Its support has helped the League become one of the strongest basketball championships in Europe and the premier club tournament for Russian fans.
Sergey Kushchenko, President of the VTB United League:
– The Council’s decision recognizes the enormous contribution that Andrey Leonidovich has made to the development of the League and Russian basketball as a whole. VTB Bank was one of the League’s founders, and over the years, Andrey Leonidovich’s support has been a true pillar of strength: during difficult times, periods of change, and when making key decisions about the championship’s future.
It is a great honor for us that Andrey Leonidovich has accepted this position. We are confident that his experience and authority will contribute to the League’s further development.
Ilona Korstin, CEO of the VTB United League:
– Andrey Leonidovich Kostin was there from the very beginning of the League’s creation. Thanks to his personal support and that of VTB Bank, the VTB United League has been developing successfully for 18 years now. Today, it is the third-most important league in Russia across all sports, and in Europe it is recognized as one of the strongest basketball tournaments.
It is fitting that today, the League Council unanimously endorsed Andrey Leonidovich’s candidacy for the position of honorary president. I am confident that together we will take the VTB United League to a new level and make it even stronger and more exciting for all basketball fans.
Andrey Kostin, President and Chairman of the Management Board of VTB Bank:
– The bank was there at the very beginning when the League was founded in 2008, and we’ve come a long way together over the years. It has grown from a sports project into a serious, respected organization that sets high standards for competitions and helps promote basketball in our country. At VTB, we have always viewed our support for the League not merely as sponsorship, but as a long-term partnership and a contribution to the development of Russian basketball. It is important to continue raising the level of competition, developing clubs, introducing new formats, and making basketball even more entertaining and appealing to fans. I am confident that the VTB United League has a bright future. And it is a great honor for me to be a part of that future.
