Crvena Zvezda president: We had an agreement with Vucevic – money was not a factor

Crvena Zvezda president Zeljko Drcelic revealed that the basketball club had a 'gentleman's agreement' to sign two-time NBA All-Star Nikola Vucevic. Drcelic stated that the deal hinged on Vucevic not receiving an offer from the NBA, adding that finances were never a consideration in their pursuit.

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We had a gentleman's agreement that if he didn't get an offer from the NBA, he would wear the Crvena Zvezda jersey. In his case, money was never a factor.

The club is also ushering in a new era with Ion Navarrro as head coach, a move Drcelic believes will bring a 'new dimension' to the team, alongside players like Milos Teodosic and Miroslav Tomic.

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Teodosic, Tomic, and Navarro will give our club a new dimension.

Looking ahead to the EuroLeague season, Drcelic expressed the team's ambition to be a top contender, acknowledging that many teams aim for the Final Four. He stressed that Crvena Zvezda has competitive aspirations.

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More than half of the EuroLeague teams aim for the Final Four. It would be irresponsible to say we don't have competitive ambitions.

Furthermore, Drcelic highlighted the importance of a new ten-year agreement with the EuroLeague, viewing it as a crucial step toward achieving franchise status. This deal, he explained, grants the club equal membership in the competition, complete with rights and significant revenue streams.

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Our goal was always to gain a place in the franchise model. Now we are becoming an equal member of the competition, with rights but also significant revenue.