Real Betis
Real Betis Baloncesto is a professional basketball team based in Seville, Spain, founded in 1987. The club plays its home games at San Pablo and last competed in the Primera FEB, the second tier of Spanish basketball. Throughout its history, the team has achieved notable success including two Liga ACB runner-up finishes in 1996 and 1999, a EuroCup final appearance in 2011, and won the LEB Oro championship in 2018-19 after a brief relegation from the top division.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Real Betis Baloncesto S.A.D. is a professional basketball team based in Seville, Spain. The team last played in the Primera FEB, which is the second basketball division of the Spanish basketball league system after the Liga ACB. The club plays its home games at San Pablo.
Most recent season and achievements
During the 2018-19 season, their first ever in LEB Oro, Real Betis beat the record of biggest winning streak with 17, meaning they beat all their league opponents consecutively. The club quickly came back to the top tier after winning the championship with four rounds left.
History
Early years
Club Deportivo de Baloncesto Sevilla was founded in 1987 when the team bought the seat of Dribling de Madrid in the second division, at that time called Primera División B. In 1989, the team promoted to Liga ACB for the first time ever.
Successful period
In 1996 and 1999 the club finished the league as runner-up being defeated both times in the finals 0–3 by FC Barcelona. In 2011, Sevilla lost the 2010–11 Eurocup final, played in Treviso, Italy, against Unics Kazan.
Crisis and recovery
In 2017 the club relegated from Liga ACB for the first time in its history, but remained in the league in application of the precautionary measures issued by the judicial demand of the Andalusian club after the change of the requirements to join the ACB during the pre-season. However, the club was relegated again in the next season after a very poor performance with only seven wins in 34 matches, finishing in the last position of the league table.
Current period
On 21 July 2016, Baloncesto Sevilla and Real Betis agreed a collaboration agreement for helping the football squad to solve the financial problems of the basketball team. The team would be called Real Betis Energía Plus as a result of the agreement and a new sponsor. On 31 December 2016, Real Betis agreed the buy of the 99.99% of the shares of the club and implemented it on 12 January 2017. On 6 September 2018, the club unanimously approved to take the necessary steps to obtain the pertinent authorization from the Spanish royal house to change its name to Real Betis Baloncesto S.A.D. This change was finally approved on 15 December 2018.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
The club has achieved 29 seasons in ACB and 3 seasons in the second tier, including 2 in Primera División B and 1 in LEB Oro. Their trophy cabinet includes one LEB Oro championship in 2018–19, one Copa Princesa de Asturias in 2019, and five Andalusia Cups won in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, and 2009.
Continental and global competitions
In continental competition, the club reached the EuroCup final in 2011, where they were defeated by Unics Kazan in Treviso, Italy.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
From 1987 to 2014, the club was sponsored by Caja San Fernando, renamed in 2007 as Cajasol and merged in Banca Cívica years later. The sponsorship naming history includes: Caja San Fernando (1987–2007), Cajasol (2007–10), Cajasol Banca Cívica (2010–2011), Banca Cívica (2011–2012), Cajasol (2012–2014), Baloncesto Sevilla (2014–2016), Real Betis Energía Plus (2016–2019), and Coosur Real Betis (2019–2022).
Ownership and finances
On 31 December 2016, Real Betis agreed to buy 99.99% of the shares of the basketball club and implemented the acquisition on 12 January 2017. This came after a collaboration agreement between Baloncesto Sevilla and Real Betis to help solve the financial problems of the basketball team.
Stadium
The club plays its home games at San Pablo in Seville, Spain.