By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Next season will be a special one for the Basketball Champions League.
This time, the finalists will not only compete for the trophy, but they will also have the chance to play in the new league which will be a joint project between the NBA and FIBA.
Before the draw for the new season at the invitation of FIBA, the NBA took the opportunity to speak with all clubs participating in the upcoming 2026-27 Basketball Champions League season about their plans for a new league in Europe.
The NBA underscored why its proposed structure alongside FIBA is more open than the current ecosystem, creates more opportunities for all European clubs, and is in accordance with the European sporting model.
The NBA also reiterated that every European club will have the chance to qualify for its new top-tier league based on sporting merit through either FIBA’s Basketball Champions League (BCL) or an end-of-season qualifying tournament among the best teams from domestic leagues across Europe.
This tournament is expected to feature not only BCL teams, but also those who finished in the top spots of the domestic leagues, according to merit-based criteria decided by FIBA.
The NBA reaffirmed that it’s continuing to target launching this league in October 2027, and Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos (photo) told its teams that the finalists of the BCL will qualify for the first season of the new league.
The NBA shared information about its proposed financial model, discussing how it will improve the economics of the game and greatly benefit all teams equally, both qualifying teams and permanent franchises.
Within the first 10 years, the NBA is planning more than $10 billion in distributions, establishing a strong foundation for launch and clear pathways to profitability and long-term growth.
All teams, including both franchise and qualifying teams, will receive the same guaranteed base payment and prize payouts based on on-court performance, and it’s expected that the average distribution in this league will be multiple times higher than the current average distribution in the EuroLeague. This performance pool will also grow over time.
Finally, the NBA discussed its goal to make the sport more inclusive and accessible alongside FIBA. The NBA reiterated its desire to dedicate financial support and resources to the entire European basketball ecosystem, including domestic leagues, club team academies, and existing programs to develop players, coaches, and referees at all levels of the game.
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