Joventut changes owner and Ricky Rubio enters the shareholding

BadalonaChange of ownership at Joventut Badalona. The Lithuanian group Confluence Valley has bought the shares of Scranton Enterprises in an operation led by Paulius Motiejunas, who after being an executive at Zalgiris directed the Euroleague as CEO from June 2023 to January 2026. The operation, which was reported by journalist Xavi Ballesteros and is subject to final approval by the High Council for Sports (CSD), will include Ricky Rubio in the shareholding. The player, who returned to the team last year, was eager to increase his involvement in the project.

"I didn't come back here just to play basketball, but also to leave a legacy in the city and at the club. I am eager for this project to move forward. There are aspects we can improve and I want us all to have ambition so that this club returns to where it deserves to be," asserts the point guard from Masnou.

The Catalan company Scranton Enterprises, an investment vehicle for the Grifols family, has confirmed the agreement with Confluence Valley, the conglomerate created by Motiejunas together with the company Tesonet. Scranton had entered Joventut's capital in 2018 and has gradually increased its stake to around 86%, following the capital increase formalized at the end of 2024. La Penya wanted to thank Scranton Enterprises for the work done, which will remain linked as a financial partner. "When the situation was most uncertain and the club's future was at stake, it decided to bet on the continuity of an institution that is much more than a basketball team. Its contribution has allowed generations of fans to continue enjoying La Penya and for the club to be able to look towards the future with ambition and confidence," the club said in a statement.

Asisa Joventut is experiencing a sweet social and sporting moment. A few weeks ago, the green-and-black team took the Supercopa Endesa title. “We have gone through tough years and being able to celebrate a title at home with our fans is not the end of the road, but it is the reward for the work of many people,” recalled Juanan Morales, president of Joventut Badalona. The club incorporated Ferran Laviña as CEO of the entity last March.

The Palau Olímpic, a source of income

The commercial exploitation of the Olympic Palace is one of the areas with the most room for growth. The goal is to bring to Badalona the lessons learned at the Zalgirio Arena, one of the European venues with the highest economic performance. Confluence Valley, a company for the management of sports facilities, stadiums, and events, is born from the merger of Tesonet and Zalgiris Group. The Lithuanians will absorb a good part of the Badalona club's debt.

The EuroLeague replaced Motiejunas with Chus Bueno at the head of its project last January with the aim of facilitating conversations with the NBA, with whom the Catalan has a direct line. The owner clubs of the EuroLeague rejected a few days ago the first offer from the NBA to jointly organize a new competition in Europe, although reaching an agreement in the future is not ruled out. Furthermore, they agreed to continue the process to expand the number of franchises and the expansion of the tournament from the current 13 members to 24.