Zenit will be the third VTB United League team (alongside CSKA and Khimki) to compete in the EuroLeague next season, thanks to a 2019-20 wild card.
18 teams will compete in the league: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Fenerbahce, CSKA, Anadolu Efes, Olimpia Milan, Valencia, Bayern, Alba, Crvena Zvezda, Khimki, Baskonia, Maccabi, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, Zalgiris, ASVEL and Zenit.
Zenit St. Petersburg was founded in 2014 and is a partner of the Zenit football club. Zenit has played five seasons in the VTB United League and finished in third place three times.
Zenit general director Alexander Tserkovny: “Congratulations to St. Petersburg and all of our fans on joining the EuroLeague! An exciting season is ahead with unforgettable games against the best basketball teams in Europe. Now our shared goal is to repay the trust shown us by the EuroLeague. We are really counting on big crowds at every game and the signature support of our fans!”
VTB United League general director Ilona Korstin: “Zenit acquitted itself very well last season, both on the court and in the sphere of marketing. The team works with the fans and creates an attractive product at the SIBUR Arena. St. Petersbug is a beautiful city and every EuroLeague team should be quite comfortable during their stay.”
VTB United League president Sergey Kushchenko: “The EuroLeague’s decision to choose a VTB United League team indicates that club basketball in our league is moving in the right direction. Along with Zenit, UNICS was also considered by the EuroLeague. I think Zenit was picked because the growth of Zenit’s basketball structure is a bit more dynamic than UNICS’s. If Zenit takes proper advantage of the opportunity to participate in the EuroLeague, I think they will take a quality step forward as a serious European club.”
