The Pro A championship in Germany will be decided today so this is perfect timing for this blogpost.
When a team earns promotion to the top league in their country, the celebration is electric. Fans rejoice, players feel the payoff of a grueling season, and the city embraces a new level of visibility and pride. But behind the scenes, moving up a division isn’t just a victory—it’s a challenge laced with stress, tough decisions, financial strain, and risk.
I know this from firsthand experience.
Back in the 2006–2007 season, I was part of Science City Jena, then competing in Germany’s Pro A (2nd division). Under Head Coach Björn Harmsen, we did the unthinkable—we won the league and secured promotion to the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), Germany’s top tier. At the time, Björn was the youngest coach to ever coach a team to promotion into the BBL.
That moment was unforgettable! We had fought, sacrificed, and earned our place among the best. And out of a deep sense of loyalty, Björn chose to stick with the core group that had won the title. He kept nearly the entire roster intact, only adding a few imports to reinforce our ranks.
At the time, it felt like the right move. We had chemistry. We had earned it. But soon enough, we all learned a hard truth about moving up: what wins in the second division doesn’t always survive in the first.
Loyalty vs. Level-Up
Coach Harmsen would later admit that holding on to most of the roster was a mistake. Not because the players weren’t talented or hard-working—but because the jump from Pro A to BBL is not just a step up; it’s a leap.
First division teams often have bigger budgets, deeper rosters, and seasoned pros. Our underdog spirit and tight bond couldn’t compensate for the level of physicality, experience, and speed we were suddenly up against every week.
It didn’t help that the club was operating on a limited budget. That’s another reality fans don’t always see: promotion comes with a price tag. Entry fees to the new league, higher travel and accommodation costs, stricter arena and infrastructure requirements, and, of course, bigger salaries for first-division-caliber players.
By midseason, we were struggling – and the club made the difficult (and in my opinion, unjust) decision to fire Björn. The irony? They couldn’t afford to hire a new coach, so they offered the job to me, a current player, to finish the season as head coach – but that is another story and blog.
That season remains one of the most insightful, challenging and humbling experiences of my career. But I’m grateful for it. It taught me how loyalty, while noble, must be balanced with strategy. Especially when leveling up.
Fast Forward to Today
Nearly two decades later, Coach Harmsen has done it again. He’s taken Science City Jena back to the BBL…the 3rd time with Jena and 4th time in total that he has coached a team to promotion which is an amazing feat. Still though, I can’t help but wonder how that first experience will form his decisions this time around.
Will he again trust the core group? Or will he be more aggressive in shaping a roster built to survive the rigors of the BBL? Either way, I’m confident he’s learned from that first go-round—and I expect this team to be better prepared, both on the court and behind the scenes. The first time was a surpise, this time it was planned.
The second newly promoted team this season, Gladiators Trier, faces the same pressure. How will they invest? How will they adapt? How much risk will they take?
The Pros and Cons of Moving Up
For any overseas club making the leap to the top division, here’s what they’re really up against:
Advantages
- Increased Visibility: More media exposure, better sponsorship deals, and higher attendance.
- Stronger Recruiting Power: The top league attracts better talent, including high-level imports.
- Player Development: Younger domestic players get to learn and compete at a higher level.
- Prestige & Momentum: The club gains legitimacy in the eyes of fans, sponsors, and the basketball world.
Disadvantages
- Financial Strain: Licensing fees, larger salaries, facility upgrades, and travel expenses can break a small club.
- Roster Overhaul Pressure: Success often means replacing players who got you there—a tough but necessary decision.
- Inexperience at the Top Level: Players, staff, and even management may struggle to adjust quickly.
- Higher Expectations: One bad start to the season and everything—momentum, morale, and money—can spiral.
As someone who’s played, coached, and now mentors players navigating the overseas game, I know that promotion is the beginning of a new fight—not the end of the journey.
Whether you’re a player trying to crack a BBL roster or a coach planning for the jump, you need to approach it with humility, strategy, and realism.
And if you’re a fan watching your team move up, cheer loud—but also give them grace. The climb to the top is steep, and staying there takes more than heart. Unjust expectations can ruin a team.
Do you need help understanding the overseas basketball landscape? Check out my free consultation link in bio or visit seanjmccaw.com — I help hoopers around the world navigate their professional journey.
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