Fc Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer hopes that German basketball will be able to capitalise on the enthusiasm for the European Championship.
“Now it’s up to us, and above all the BBL, to develop concepts here on how we can bring this atmosphere and enthusiasm into the league and convert that into spectator and fan enthusiasm,” said Hainer in Munich on Wednesday. More television time and more media presence are needed. “In any case, it was a huge promotion for basketball, and the German team did a great job.” The German team had won European Championship bronze.
The goal for the Bayern basketball team, which starts the BBL season with a home game against ratiopharm Ulm on Saturday, is to have “the energy and power” until the end to be able to win the German championship, Hainer said. In addition, coach Andrea Trinchieri’s team should reach the play-offs again in the Euroleague.
“We have to see that we keep the players healthy and get the problems we had last season under control as good as possible,” said general manager Marko Pesic. Then, he said, “in the end we can be where we want to be – namely at the top.” In the pre-season, the Munich team had to struggle with numerous Corona absences.
Hainer is not only hoping for a greater TV presence. “I also believe that we need more Basketball Bundesliga clubs in the big German cities,” he said. None of this can be done overnight, he said, but it is still possible. “I already expect the BBL, in cooperation with the clubs, to take advantage of this opportunity,” Hainer said.
