Vytis Sakiai will not play in Betsafe LKL

Vytis Sakiai will not play in the Betsafe LKL next season despite earning promotion by finishing third in the NKL last season. The club informed the league office that they will not pursue a license to compete in the championship.

The decision comes after the Kaunas district municipal government denied a relocation bid from the Sakiai side, who were planning to play their games in Garliava.

In June, the LKL board approved a 10-team format for the 2018-19 Betsafe LKL season and approved 12 teams to start the licensing process. After Vytis decided to withdraw, there are 11 candidates to play in the league, including Vytautas Prienai-Birstonas, who finished in the relegation zone, and Jonava, who could gain access to the LKL via commercial principles.

The league will confirm which 10 teams will compete in the championship after closely examining the documents provided by the clubs. The decision will be announced in mid-July.