By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Rytas has officially declared its strategic ambition to join the nascent NBA Europe league, initiating a series of organizational shifts designed to meet the elite standards of the world’s premier basketball brand. As the NBA and FIBA target a 2027 continental launch for the 16-team circuit, with 12 permanent and four rotating spots, the team based in Vilnius is positioning itself as a cornerstone franchise for the Baltic region.
“Currently operating within the FIBA ecosystem, we are strategically positioned just one step away from the NBA’s European expansion,” said Martynas Giga, the newly appointed CEO of Rytas. “The European market remains significantly undervalued. Given its economic scale and deep-rooted basketball heritage, Vilnius must serve as the flagship for this region. Our objective is to build an organization capable of attracting premier global investment while delivering the elite experience our fans deserve.”
The Basketball Champions League participant shared additional details on Thursday.
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Per the press release: “Rytas Vilnius officially announces its strategic ambition to pursue integration into the emerging NBA Europe league. The club views this joint NBA and FIBA initiative as a historic opportunity to reshape the landscape of European basketball and is taking its first decisive steps toward entering a new era of the game on the continent.
The NBA Europe project reflects a shared NBA and FIBA vision to further expand the European basketball market and unlock what industry experts describe as substantial untapped commercial potential. Rytas positions itself at the forefront of this transformation, confident that the introduction of the NBA’s business and operational model to Europe would fundamentally redefine the standards of club basketball.
As part of this objective, the club has already held productive discussions with the Vilnius City Municipality. Both parties share a common understanding: hosting an NBA Europe level team in Vilnius represents a joint opportunity for the club and the city – one that would strengthen Vilnius’ role as a regional leader, attract international investment, and enhance the capital’s global profile.
The ambition forms part of Rytas broader long-term strategy. The club recently announced the appointment of its new CEO, Martynas Giga, alongside its ambition to become an operating partner of the National Stadium complex. A modern governance structure and state-of-the-art infrastructure are viewed as essential pillars in achieving recognition at the highest international level.”