The Euroleague quarterfinal series between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Panathinaikos has sparked considerable drama off the court, primarily instigated by the Greek team. The controversy centers around allegations from Panathinaikos against the game's referees and the Euroleague's management. These complaints are prominently voiced by Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, the outspoken owner of Panathinaikos.
The dispute began following the first game of the series, which Maccabi Tel Aviv won 91:87. Panathinaikos released an official statement asserting that the referees favored Maccabi Tel Aviv due to the ongoing conflict in Israel. The statement declared, "Once again, we witnessed gross mistakes at the decisive moments of the Euroleague, which remind us of the massacre we experienced during the era of Jordi Bertomeu (the previous president of the Euroleague)."
Shortly after this statement, Giannakopoulos took to his Instagram to pose the question, "Is there a place for politics in professional sports?" In response, the Euroleague dismissed the accusations as "false statements" and stated that "such behavior will not be tolerated."
Despite the official rebuke, Giannakopoulos continued his criticisms after the third game of the series, which Maccabi also won, this time with a score of 85:83. He provocatively waved a money bill at the referees and later gestured offensively toward the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, attempting to approach their stands before being restrained by security. This series of events highlights the intense emotions and stakes involved in this high-profile Euroleague matchup.
Scandals go way back
Dimitrios Giannakopoulos's behavior throughout the series is emblematic of the controversies he has repeatedly been involved in over the years. In 2018, he faced a year-long suspension from Euroleague management due to his outspoken criticisms targeting the organization, referees, and Fenerbahçe fans after a match.
In response to this suspension, Giannakopoulos conducted a fan poll to decide whether Panathinaikos should stay in or leave the Euroleague. He declared that if the fans voted to stay, he would step down as the club's owner. Ultimately, the fans chose to remain in the league, and Giannakopoulos continued as the owner.
But the drama didn’t stop there. In June 2020, he stunned the sports world by announcing at a press conference that he was putting Panathinaikos up for sale for 25 million euros, despite its estimated value being much higher. "The brand is of course worth more, estimated at 100 million, but the price I am willing to accept for it is much less," he said. Despite this announcement, Giannakopoulos retained ownership.
The incidents continued back in 2016 when Giannakopoulos made a shocking threat toward a referee after a game against CSKA Moscow, screaming, "I will kill you and your family, that's a promise." This history of contentious behavior underscores his tumultuous relationship with the sport and its governing bodies.
Giannakopoulos's controversial actions have also been a feature in Greek basketball. In a 2019 semifinal cup match against their arch-rival Olympiacos, coached at the time by David Blatt, the Greek team opted not to return for the second half, citing severe grievances with the officiating—a recurring theme in Giannakopoulos's disputes. In a provocative response, Giannakopoulos placed red underwear on the deserted bench of the rival team.
Additionally, Panathinaikos fans have mixed feelings about Giannakopoulos's management style, despite the applause he received upon arriving at game number 2 of the series against Maccabi Tel Aviv. His confrontational approach extends to his own staff, with notable instances including sharp criticisms in an interview against coach Argiris Pedoulakis, who subsequently resigned.
In the 2016/17 season, following Panathinaikos's 3:0 series defeat by Fenerbahçe in the Euroleague quarterfinals, Giannakopoulos took an unusual punitive measure against his team. He banned the players from flying back and instead mandated a grueling 11-hour bus journey from Istanbul to Athens.
The Greek Nepo baby?
Dimitris Giannakopoulos, aged 49, acquired ownership of Panathinaikos from his father Pavlos (who passed away in 2018) and his uncle Thanasis (who passed away in 2019) at the start of the previous decade. Since assuming control, the club has become primarily known for its controversies and has seen a decline in its dominance within the European elite.
The Giannakopoulos family has been involved in the pharmaceutical industry since the 1920s. Pavlos and Thanasis founded the Vianex corporation in 1971, and in 2012, concurrently with the transfer of ownership of Panathinaikos, Dimitris also assumed control of Vianex. In addition, he owns 50 percent of a Greek company named Superfoods, which produces natural health products and food supplements. At its peak, the Giannakopoulos family's wealth was estimated to be around $975 million.