The VTB United League Board took place on May 24. Following the results, a press conference was held with the Honorary President of the League Sergey Ivanov, the President of the League Sergey Kushchenko and the General Manager Ilona Korstin.
Here are the main quotes of Sergey Ivanov, the Honorary VTB League President:
– The board was successful. If we talk about the last season, I do not want to praise the heavens, but if you do not praise yourself, no one else will, so we can say that the season was successful. The SuperCup was in the fall in a new format and with foreign clubs. The regular season itself had a successful new format with a 2 groups split. The Semifinals couldn’t have been better: both series had 7 games and ended with a one shot difference. It couldn’t get any better. The Final, of course, was excellent.
As for next season: we’ll start the season as we always do with opening budgets. The United League remains the only sports league in Russia that fully opens up the budgets for the clubs and the Leauge itself. Then we will have the SuperCup – we will announce the format and participants later. We are now in contact with foreign clubs. There will be a play-in format for the first time next season. The teams that are in 7th-10th place in the regular season will compete for the remaining 2 playoff spots. It’s a well-known principle that’s now being played in the NBA.
Congratulations to Uralmash and Runa for being unanimously accepted into the League. Although there were questions, and they still are, by the way – these clubs were accepted into the United League with a 1 year trial period. Last season showed that the newcomers MBA and Samara are seriously preparing for joining the VTB League. Uralmash have a new arena in Ekaterinburg, but Runa will play in the Dinamo Sports Palace. The financial conditions are followed. The youth teams are obligatory to play in the VTB Youth League – it is important.
The system of video replays system will be changed due to VTB United League extra expenses. It is not very pleasant to have fans in the arena or watching broadcast and waiting for 2 minutes while referees are watching the replay. We will change this system to a new one, which will enable us to consider challenging episodes much faster. Although I must say that the refereeing level last season was quite high. And, unlike some other Russian sports, the endless officiating scandals were avoided.
The stats prove that basketball is being watched more and there are more fans in the stands – unlike some other sports.
