EFA

Standard Player Contract (SPC) defines the relationship between the player and the club and serves as a compulsory minimum standard. Types of professional contracts are: professional contract (including multi-season contracts, contracts signed during the season until the end of the season, or temporary contracts), Youth/Linked team contract and Training agreement.

The minimum base net remuneration of a player with a full-season professional contract is set on a scaled basis considering the number of seasons in the EuroLeague with a professional contract.

Seasons in EuroLeague and minimum base net remuneration/season:

• Season 1: €50,000
• Season 2: €60,000
• Season 3: €70,000
• Season 4: €90,000
• Season 5+: €110,000

Neither player nor his agent may negotiate contracts with another club while the player is under contract with a EuroLeague club, without the previous authorization of the club with whom the player is under contract. Clubs are also prohibited from negotiating with a player who is under contract (or his agent) with another club, unless it receives prior authorization from the club with whom the player is under contract. These rules do not apply starting from the last 60 days before the expiry of the contract.

In case of an alteration or cancellation of the EuroLeague season (not merely the postponement of games), or the complete or partial exclusion of spectators from official games of the club as a direct consequence of force majeure, the club will be entitled to adjust the total net remuneration, but only under rules provided in detail under Clause 9 of the EFA.

ELPA will be informed on the opening of Euroleague’s disciplinary proceeding against any player and will have the right to represent the player upon his authorization before the different hearing bodies on his behalf.

The maximum length is 5 seasons.

The amount corresponding to variable bonuses related to player/team performance may not exceed a maximum of 25% of the base remuneration, unless EFA provides an exception.

Yes, clubs must provide and cover adequate superior health insurance and basic dental care for the player for the duration of player’s contract. Club’s dental care plan must include full and adequate treatment of dental injuries, if obtained by a player while he is performing his duties for the club. In addition, the club must also provide and cover basic health insurance for player’s spouse and/or children.

In case of overdue payables being late more than 15 days, the Management Control Commission (MCC) will initiate monitoring proceedings against a club at the request of a player. Same will be done automatically, if the club’s quarterly remuneration payment confirmations sent to the MCC (on 15 October, 15 January, 15 April, and 15 July) reveal that player’s remuneration has been overdue for more than 15 days, or if a club fails to report its quarterly remuneration payment confirmations at the abovementioned dates.

The MCC will initiate a period of up to 30 days, to monitor the claim for overdue payables. Cases in which club’s quarterly remuneration payment confirmations show that a remuneration payment has been overdue for at least 45 days will be referred to the Finance Panel, and an immediate temporary ban on the registering players will be imposed on the club.

In the event that a club does not report its quarterly remuneration payments accurately, the club will be forced to submit a file with all monthly payment slips issued for its registered players in the following 4 quarterly declarations period, which must also include information on past overdue payables, if any.

ELPA will represent and/or make any petitions on behalf of any player upon presentation of a corresponding player’s authorization. A player may file a petition anonymously.

In accordance with EFA a player grants the club during their contractual relationship his image rights with regard to all the activities of the club. Players’ trademarks (e.g., registered personal logo) are excluded.

Furthermore, players remain the holders of image rights that are not related to the activity of their Club (“Personal Image Rights”), although the players may not exercise them by entering into agreements with partners competing with the seven designated partners of the club and five designated EuroLeague partners, nor use the club nor EuroLeague brands/logos when exploiting their Personal Image Rights, unless otherwise agreed with the club and/or EuroLeague. In the event that the player already has an existing agreement with a sponsor of such category, the partnerships may coexist on a non-exclusive basis. 

The technical apparel category is excluded; therefore, players are free to associate their personal image rights with any technical apparel company. 

For more information on players’ image rights please refer to Clause 10 of the EFA. 

Training camp may begin up to a maximum of 35 days prior to Round 1 of the EuroLeague regular season or club’s domestic league, whichever starts the earliest.

Any other club activity in July or August is voluntary for players to join. Under no circumstance can a club pressure or coerce a player into any individual/team activity or practice prior to the start of training camp.

Yes, clubs must provide players with a following week’s schedule (which includes practices, games, travel times, appearances, etc.) by the end of each week.

The club is not allowed to conduct practices or games in facilities with slippery floors, inappropriate temperatures, or hazardous objects/walls surrounding the court.

Each club’s training facility must include a spacious locker/physio room, modern weight room and recovery items which optimize players’ performance, reduce the risk of injury, promote muscle repair, alleviate inflammation, and restore energy levels.

As a minimum, recovery items must include multiple physiotherapy tables, flake ice machine, professional cold tub, foam rollers, compression boots, and “Game Ready” ice machine.

Starting with the season 2021/22, a concussion protocol was implemented, which is  mandatory for all participating clubs.

Starting with the season 2025/26, a league-wide pre-season physical performance test will be implemented, which will serve as a standardised evaluation of players’ physical shape before the start of basketball activity.

At least one member of the club’s Medical and Performance Staff who regularly travels with the team must have a valid AED-CPR Certification issued by a valid institution and recognized by the country where the club is based.

Clubs have to report to EuroLeague information about each players’ injury/illness and rest. Each player has access to his own collected medical data.

The club may not restrict, control or influence player’s use of his private social media accounts, apart from setting general rules and guidelines to avoid reputational damage to the club and/or EuroLeague.

Only upon each player’s individual approval, the commercial appearances may include activation in the player’s digital/social media channels by creating content around it or sharing content provided by EuroLeague or the club.

During competition season, players have a minimum of three days off per month, with only obligatory physiotherapy and/or medical treatments permitted on those days.

Yes, after any major national team competition (i.e.: World Cup, Continental Championships, Olympic Games, excluding qualification phases or tournaments), players are entitled to a minimum of three calendar days off, not counting travel days, before joining the club.

On single practice days, practice session may last no longer than 3 hours, including the time spent in weight room, stretching, and participating in aerobic warm-ups and cool-downs. On double practice days, practice sessions may last for an aggregate of 5 hours.

There cannot be more than five consecutive practice sessions (never three consecutive days with two practices). All basketball practice sessions during preseason can be contact practices (with ankles taped).

Players will not participate in running exercises in the mountains or on other uneven terrain, or in basketball activities on any unsafe playing surface (e.g. slippery floors) or in any other activity where there is reasonable medical concern that participation in these exercises or activities will put the player at a risk of injury, illness or other harm.

Yes, players will have one day off every 7 seven days. No practice session is permitted on EuroLeague Media Day, unless it is held within 72 hours of an official game. Media/promotional/commercial activities are permitted on the days off during the preseason.

Yes, players have the right to ask for a neutral second medical opinion regarding the treatment of injuries. All related health conditions/concerns will be coordinated through ELPA and the Euroleague Basketball Medical Officer. ELPA members have cost related to the second medical opinion process covered in full (medical consultation fee, travel expenses, etc.)

Player has a right to opt for the attending physician of his choice, provided that he agrees to cover any additional costs above the club’s coverage and that he maintins regular communication between attending physician and the doctor of the club.

No. Players are not required to attend and participate in practices, scrimmages, or games of club’s youth team. Participation is based strictly on voluntary acceptance by the player.

It is player’s choice as to what brand of basketball shoes he wears in games and practices, unless the club has an existing technical provider agreement that includes shoes at the time of entry into force of the first EFA in 2021. In such case, the player is obliged to wear the basketball shoes provided by the club. However, this exception will not apply, if the player has an existing personal endorsement deal in the technical apparel category concerning basketball shoes, or has another justified reason (e.g. medical or performance-related) not to wear the shoes provided by the club.

When traveling, clubs must book priority check-in, security fast lane, and priority boarding. Upon availability on commercial flights, exit row seats must be booked for 12 players.

Each club must arrange direct or charter flights to all double-week EuroLeague games (high speed trains may be used when available as a better alternative to flights under 90 mins.).

Travel to an away EuroLeague game is not allowed on a game day, except when authorized by EL on the basis of health or security concerns. Exceptions are travels between clubs in the same city or its surrounding area.

Travel on game day (if any) to domestic competition games by road shall not exceed 3 hours.

Players are not obliged to carry any additional team luggage (e.g., practice gear, team jerseys, medical equipment etc.) for home or away games.

After away games, team dinner is not obligatory, and players are released to leisure time, as long as team travel schedules are respected.

Hotels must be rated at least four-star on all trips or when the club organizes a ‘camp’ in home city prior to any games. Single hotel rooms are available for players during all trips, including preseason and if the club organizes a ‘camp’ in home city prior to any games.

Hotels must have an appropriate fitness center with machines for weight-lifting and cardio exercises suitable for players’ individual training. Hotels must have extra-long beds available on clubs’/players’ request.

A home city hotel stay the night before a game can only be organized during EuroLeague or domestic league Playoffs, Play-in, and in case official tournaments are organized in the club’s home city (Cup, Super Cup or Final Four).

During the EuroLeague regular season and the playoffs, each player receives a minimum of two lower bowl complimentary tickets for every home game, and one complimentary ticket for every away game. Players also have an option to purchase additional tickets for every home game and away game (when available).

Apart from player receiving from his club a minimum of two lower bowl tickets for every EuroLeague home game, player’s immediate family members will have access to the VIP/hospitality areas.

Players whose teams have qualified for the EuroLeague Final Four will receive two complimentary lower bowl ticket for their club’s games at the EuroLeague Final Four. Players will have an option to purchase additional tickets in pre-sale. Players may not re-sell the tickets.

Players who wish to become ELPA members have to fill out and sign ELPA Membership Form, provided to each player upon signing the SPC. In addition, players have to pay the ELPA fee, which is outlined in the Payment Authorization Form, attached to the SPC.

• Youth/linked team contract – free of charge
• Professional contract, depending on the player’s total net remuneration per season:

o up to 70,000 EUR – 1,000 EUR

o from 70,001 EUR to 200,000 EUR – 2,000 EUR

o above 200,001 – 3,000 EUR

• In case a player signs one or multiple temporary contract(s) per season, the ELPA fee must be paid each time he gets registered in the EuroLeague based on his total net remuneration earned under the relevant contract, however never more than the amount due for the total net remuneration earned in the respective season and in no case more than 3,000 EUR in a respective season.

If the player pays membership fee to a national players association in the country where his club is domiciled, such fee can be deducted from the annual ELPA fee.

All first-year players are obliged to attend educational Newcomer Program, held online in the early part of each season.

ELPA conducts two online in-season educational sessions for players on various topics (nutrition, performance, financial literacy, contractual literacy, second career, etc.).

A year-round second career program (based on individual sessions) is intended for those players who are interested in developing a roadmap towards a successful second career, which can be started during or after the basketball career.

In connection with several universities, ELPA provides discounted university programs for players who wish to obtain academic degrees during their active career.

ELPA conducts annual in-person ELPA Team Meetings with each EuroLeague team.

Players can authorize the club to deduct the ELPA fee from their remuneration by signing the “ELPA Fee Payment Authorization Form” (provided together with the SPC). The club will forward the deducted amount to ELPA no later than 30 days after player’s registration to the EuroLeague.

In case a player chooses to pay the ELPA fee himself, he must do so no later than 30 days after his registration with the EuroLeague. While the payment is outstanding, ELPA has the right to withhold from player the guaranteed protections and benefits.