By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Discussions between possible stakeholders, combined with respective reports, have been piling up, eager to reveal details on the NBA Europe project, a working title on the partnership between the NBA and FIBA, looking into establishing a new top-tier club competition in Europe. Following the recent games presented by Tissot, between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies in London and Berlin, senior NBA writer Joe Vardon also discussed with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, London Lions president and CEO Lenz Balan, and other involved parties on how London can become a basketball attraction, and thus a vocal point of European basketball.
“Just walking the streets here and being in the hotels, I hear from people all the time saying, ‘I’m sleep deprived following your league,’” 63-year-old Silver shared his experience in London with The Athletic.
“More people are approaching us and saying, ‘I’d love to have the London franchise,’ and I think it’s not just because it’s such an attractive market, but because there’s no top-tier basketball team right now,” he added, “So, there’s lots of groups seeing an opportunity to create a new brand here.”
The well-documented idea, which has been confirmed on several occasions, is to launch the new league in 2027 with 16 teams, including 12 franchises holding permanent licenses. The four remaining spots will be made available to other teams from all around Europe via the Basketball Champions League and season-ending Qualifiers. Even in a possible future expansion, a 25% portion of the participating field will remain open, according to the initial plan.
Beyond the capital of the United Kingdom, Rome, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Munich, Barcelona, Madrid, Athens, Istanbul, Manchester, and Lyon are targeted as cities for permanent franchises, as confirmed by Vardon.
“The NBA’s ambitions to expand into Europe represent a massive opportunity for the U.K.,” described Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in the United Kingdom. “Franchises could deliver billions of pounds in economic growth and create jobs, but just as importantly, they would bring unforgettable moments for fans right here on home soil. We’re excited to work with the NBA as plans progress.”
Both the British government and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have been working alongside the NBA over recent years, aiming to increase the popularity of basketball in the city, which includes a vision to establish a new, multi-purpose arena.
Meanwhile, the London Lions are currently competing in the BKT EuroCup, the second tier of Euroleague Basketball, resuming continental journeys after a one-year absence due to uncertain financial stability. Balan was a key part of the club being able to bounce back at a high level.
“You wouldn’t be involved in British basketball unless you’re the right kind of crazy,” confessed the 45-year-old executive.
“It’s very difficult to do a lot of things that you need to do to make the sport successful,” he previously told Vardon regarding basketball in London. “And in order for it to work, the sport needs a catalyst. I think the NBA and Euroleague’s interest in the U.K. market is going to be a catalyst.”