By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
High-ranking representatives of the NBA and EuroLeague will be in Istanbul for one of the standout EuroLeague matchups.
However, formal meetings are not expected in Istanbul, contrary to reports, and the only formal meeting between all parties is scheduled on April 28.
According to Eurohoops sources, EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno and NBA EME managing director Giorgos Aivazoglou have been invited and will attend the game between Fenerbahce and Real Madrid, as discussions over the future of European basketball continue.
With the bidding process for potential NBA Europe investors now concluded, talks are expected to intensify as all sides explore the possibility of a joint project.
On the 14th of April a EuroLeague Board meeting is also scheduled where the league may decide on next season’s format and it’s obvious at this point that one of the key issues to be discussed will be the possibility of a collaboration with the NBA.
Meanwhile, the NBA Europe project remains on track for a tipoff on October 2027.
Bueno leaves door open for all cooperation scenarios
Speaking to the Athletic on the subject, Bueno said he is open to all possible scenarios but stressed that any solution must make sense from both a business and basketball perspective.
“We think that everything is on the table. And I know what the NBA brings to the table, and I know that the NBA would like to operate (a league). And let’s have a discussion. If it makes sense for the teams, why not? You’re going to hear this from me. If it makes sense, why not? And this makes sense. Everything is on the table. But it has to make sense — business reasons, basketball reasons, and I think it’s (too early) to define because I want to hear from the NBA first. But we are open to any scenario,” Bueno said.
He added that talks were delayed until the NBA completed its process of gathering non-binding proposals from potential investors, which concluded at the end of March and reportedly attracted significant interest, including multiple bids exceeding $1 billion.
At the same time, the EuroLeague is also working to strengthen its relationship with FIBA and domestic leagues, aiming to avoid fragmentation across European basketball.
“If they come, our recommendation to all the clubs is: sit down all together and have a conversation with the NBA and investors and everything that they have to the table. Sit down, trying to see how we can merge, partner, you name it, put the name and create the best basketball ecosystem and the best league possible. Because what I believe is that if we have two colleagues appearing on fragmentation, one team here, one thing there is not going to be good for anyone.”