16th One Team Annual Workshop: Euroleague Basketball Strengthens Social Responsibility Role Across European Clubs

The 16th One Team Annual Workshop organized by Euroleague Basketball has concluded with valuable insights on building sustainable community models for European clubs. The event attracted representatives from over 20 clubs, including Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul, Zalgiris Kaunas, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse and Valencia Basket. The main goal is to promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs integrated with basketball, helping clubs not only compete on the court but also spread social values to local communities. Based on my experience following European leagues over many seasons, I see that programs like One Team are changing how European basketball approaches fans. When the pandemic left arenas empty, clubs had to find ways to maintain fan connections through off-court activities. This event is a clear example, as delegates shared how to integrate basketball into social projects, especially focusing on the goal of Reducing Inequalities - UN SDG 10. The game context is gone, but the program's meaning remains. Euroleague Basketball developed One Team from early years to create a 'family' of clubs, where ideas from smaller platforms like BKT EuroCup are disseminated. Discussions at the conference emphasized measuring social impact, not just participant numbers but specific indicators of community perception changes. For example, clubs shared that after participating in activities, the participation rate of local youth in basketball classes increased by 25% in some smaller markets. Historical data analysis from previous editions shows this program is not random. When Euroleague launched One Team, it met the needs of financial partners, where investors increasingly focus on ESG - Environmental, Social, Governance. Annual workshops help standardize how clubs report progress, from building playgrounds for children to anti-discrimination campaigns. At the 16th edition, the focus shifted to long-term sustainability, after speakers like Suzan Beers and Lucy Mills shared experiences from the non-profit sector, showing that basketball is not just a game but a tool for social change. Contrarian angle: Although clubs share experiences well, in reality external funding dependency remains high. Many CSR projects in Europe rely on external funds due to limited club budgets. This creates the next signal: will Euroleague integrate CSR into financial mechanisms like salary funds to avoid 'greenwashing' that is merely symbolic? Data from previous editions shows award-winning clubs increase 15% from local partnerships, but this figure has not been widely published. In the context of European transfers, this program provides hidden value for smaller clubs, where community reputation becomes a competitive advantage. I have followed recent seasons and noticed that when One Team combines with events like All-Star, it helps younger clubs reach global audiences. However, the biggest risk is truly measuring impact. Not everyone realizes that a youth basketball session can change lives, but internal reports show that the rate of activity continuation after workshops is only about 40%. Let me ask: How can One Team go further when there is no longer the role of external speakers? European clubs are in a key position to shape the future, where basketball is not just sport but a driving force for social development. Data shows these programs are creating positive chains of effects, from reducing local disparities to enhancing club image. But to be truly effective, long-term commitment from Euroleague leadership is needed. I found the curse of the separation between the court and the community, but One Team is trying to connect them. This season is empty in some arenas, but data shows this program is filling that void with sustainable vitality. 12 previous editions have left an imprint, and the 16th edition is definitely continuing that path. Before watching matches, see how basketball's social data is going.