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If “ discussions are underway » between FIBA and the NBA for the creation of a new league in Europe, even if the vagueness still persists, the two entities also discuss another subject: the calendar of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Why then?
Because the competition will start on July 14, 2028 and this date poses an organizational problem. Indeed, the four qualifying tournaments, the TQOs, will be organized from June 26 to July 2. This will then leave very little time – less than two weeks – for recovery for the last qualified teams.
To compare, last summer, the Paris Olympic Games began on July 26, and the TQO revealed their truth on July 7. The players therefore had almost three weeks between the two moments. Is it possible to move the TQOs?
“We identified this problem with the NBA for three years and we discussed it with the host city and the International Olympic Committee. We cannot play later because of the Olympics, nor earlier because the players will not be available,” answers Andreas Zagklisgeneral secretary of FIBA. “The conversation with the NBA is ongoing. I don't expect a major adjustment to their schedule, but it's a matter of one, two or three days. I think we will find a solution. »
Another possible problem: the availability of the competition venue, the Intuit Dome. Let's imagine that, during the 2027/28 season, the Clippers go to the Finals and even to Game 7, then the NBA season will end in the second part of June. The IOC will then have three weeks to prepare the room, so that it is ready for the first day of competition.
But for Andreas Zagklis, this concern, still very theoretical, is much less problematic than that of the short calendar between the TQO and the tournament. “The tournament sites are not in question. We are talking about the well-being of the players and sufficient preparation for all the teams. And we can’t touch the dates of the Olympic Games”recalls the general secretary of FIBA.