By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a significant development for the European sporting landscape, Inter Milan chairman and CEO Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that the club’s owners, Oaktree Capital, are closely monitoring the NBA Europe project.
Speaking via video conference at the Motore Italia roadshow organized by Milano Finanza, the 68-year-old executive addressed growing speculation regarding a potential off-field derby between Inter and AC Milan to secure a franchise in the NBA’s upcoming continental expansion. Marotta dismissed rumors of a conflict between the city’s two footballing giants, describing the prospect of a bidding war as ‘purely hypothetical’.
He emphasized the ‘exceptional relationship’ between Inter’s owners and AC Milan’s RedBird Capital, noting that while he represents the club’s sporting interests, the NBA venture remains a strategic decision for ownership. “I have no updates or details,” Marotta stated. “I represent Inter, and this concerns the ownership. I know Oaktree is interested in this project, that the NBA wants to bring their show to Europe, and that Milan is among the cities targeted.”
The joint initiative between FIBA and the NBA is targeting an October 2027 launch. The envisioned 16-team league would feature 12 permanent franchises in marquee hubs such as London, Paris, Madrid, and Berlin. Milan is designated as a primary center for the expansion, with franchise license fees estimated to reach up to $1 billion.
For Milan, this venture coincides with ongoing negotiations between RedBird and Oaktree regarding a new stadium at San Siro. This infrastructure is increasingly viewed as the vital foundation for a multi-sport ecosystem capable of hosting both elite football and a permanent NBA franchise, potentially transforming the city into the basketball capital of Europe.