A new approach to club management is coming to the EuroLeague and European basketball. Beginning with the 2027-2028 season, the EuroLeague will implement the much-loved salary cap, similar to that of the NBA, the best league in the world. Several new regulations will be introduced with the goal of closing the gap between clubs in this competition.
The ECA has announced what will be called the Competitive Balance Standards (CBS), set to take effect in two seasons. These consist of three levels of financial management that clubs must adhere to in order to avoid severe penalties. They will take into account the commercial revenues from the two previous seasons.
The first level will cap team spending at 32% of their average budget for roster construction. The twelve teams with multi-year licenses must not exceed this threshold in order to avoid additional taxes. For those with an "A" license, the terms will differ.
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The second management level (base salary level) will allow clubs to spend up to 40% of their revenues, with certain exceptions for the two highest-paid players, under-23 players, athletes who have been on the roster for more than three years, players injured for over two months, and those earning an average salary of €600,000.
The high salary level will permit teams to spend up to 60% of their average budget. The same rules as the second level apply, but "anchor players" (the most high-profile players) will be excluded from the exceptions. Teams exceeding the 130% spending limit could face taxes as high as €6.50 for every euro spent over the cap.
