By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Joey and Jesse Buss are aggressively pursuing an ownership stake in the upcoming NBA Europe league through their investment firm, Buss Sports Capital, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and The Athletic’s Dan Woike on Wednesday.
This strategic move marks a major pivot for the youngest sons of the late Dr. Jerry Buss, who launched their venture capital firm after being relieved of their executive duties as CEO of the South Bay Lakers and scouting director for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Following the family’s sale of the storied NBA franchise to financier Mark Walter for a record $10 billion valuation, which left their sister Jeanie Buss in control as governor for the foreseeable future, the brothers remain minority owners but are leveraging their experience to establish a pathway back into prominent sports executive roles overseas.
This push into the European market builds upon months of mounting speculation, which previously saw the brothers emerge as potential financial backers for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. This connection is anchored by a pre-existing, long-standing relationship with the club’s president and new head coach, former San Antonio Spurs guard and French basketball icon Tony Parker. Given this deep tie, France has become a primary destination of interest, allowing Buss Sports Capital to center its expansion strategy around a familiar and deeply rooted basketball market.
The new top-tier continental league is casting a wide net, intending to host franchises across several European cities, including Lyon, London, and Manchester. The latest update coincides with the final stages of the NBA’s collaborative assessment with FIBA to review substantial applications ahead of a planned launch at the top of the 2027–28 season.
NBA Europe could also feature a Rome-based franchise, driven by a parallel ownership venture led by Lakers superstar Luka Doncic and veteran executive Donnie Nelson Jr.
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