FIBA Americas - Americas League given green light

BOCA CHICA (FIBA Americas) - The FIBA Americas Congress has approved the creation of an Americas League to include 16 nations from North and South America.

Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Uruguay and the United States will all have teams in the competition, which will start on December 15.

FIBA Americas Secretary General Alberto Garcia said: “This is a project that has been discussed over the last few years and we have been working hard because our continent is huge. This is the reason that this tournament will cost a lot.

“But after three years we have concluded that it is possible.”

Garcia added FIBA Americas cannot do everything by itself. “We need the league, clubs and federations to help in this idea,” he said.

“The league will be played in an economic way with a 45-day activity and we will try to spend the least possible.”

The 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four. Two groups will play in South America and the other two in North, Central America and the Caribbean.

The eight best teams will continue in a best-of-three series where the North and South Teams will play between them so the finalist can be from each zone.

“The Final Four will be played in three days, Round Robin format, in a location of one of those teams,” Garcia explained.

“This idea is not just commercial; this will motivate other countries to make a national league so the players can develop.”

Garcia also confirmed TV rights negotiations with Fox Sports are advancing.

FIBA