The NBA Claims to be Closer to Establishing a European League

Two months after it was announced that the NBA was negotiating with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to create a European league in the 2026-2027 season, the North American league claimed on Thursday to have taken another step forward, although the participation of major teams from the Old Continent in this future tournament remains uncertain. "We are ready to move to the next stage," stated NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday, following a meeting of the so-called board of governors, the governing body of the American professional league.

The NBA's desire to boost its business is to expand into Europe, aiming for countries like Spain, France, England, and Germany to be represented in a new tournament that would be overseen by the United States league and FIBA, historically at odds with the Euroleague, which it aims to compete against. Without NBA franchises in this kind of Super League, it is unclear whether the main clubs of the top continental competition, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and Fenerbahçe, among others, would be willing to leave the Euroleague to align with the future competition.

However, the NBA is obsessed with its entry into Europe and sees a significant economic opportunity in capitals like Paris, London, and Moscow. "We are looking for opportunities to continue developing basketball in Europe. It's about exploring a possible league with FIBA," confirmed Adam Silver in a joint press conference with the international body's Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis, who believes "it's time to take the step."

The owners of North American basketball aim to create a league in Europe that could consist of 16 clubs, with a semi-open competition plan, where the best Euroleague teams could compete in the tournament proposed by the NBA the following year. One of the NBA's ideas is to sell franchises for at least $500 million in capitals like Paris and London to ensure participation in the new tournament.

In a very early plan, it has also been revealed that the NBA would require a minimum capital of 250 million euros to play in the European league, making the 'offer' only accessible to major football clubs with basketball sections, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Bayern Munich, and the economic giants of Greece and Turkey.