Roko Sikiric, a candidate for the presidency of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), continues to share his bold vision for the future of volleyball governance. Through his social media platforms, Sikiric is addressing one of the most pressing challenges faced by national federations and clubs: the restrictive nature of product-protected categories in CEV competitions.
Currently, the CEV holds exclusive rights to several product categories, even when there are no existing contracts with potential partners. These categories are often released just weeks before a competition, leaving federations and clubs scrambling to secure sponsorships. Sikiric’s plan is simple but transformative: release these protected categories a year in advance if no contracts exist. This would give federations and clubs ample time to negotiate deals, ensuring a stable and supportive sponsorship environment.
In addition, Sikiric proposes an audit of sponsorship assets and a thorough review of the commercial structure before finalizing key product categories. These changes aim to foster a more flexible and inclusive sponsorship landscape, driving the growth of volleyball across Europe.