By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
The NBA continues to move forward with its plans for a new European competition and expects to reveal further details in the coming weeks.
Following the Board of Governors meeting in New York, NBA commissioner Adam Silver described the project as a historic opportunity to build on the continent’s basketball tradition while confirming progress in talks with the EuroLeague.
“We discussed potential expansion around Las Vegas and Seattle. Mark Tatum spoke about continued discussions around NBA Europe, which, to me, is a historic opportunity to build on the amazing tradition of European basketball—in the EuroLeague and various domestic leagues—but now bring that to the next level by creating a combination of new and existing clubs in an NBA-style European competition,” Silver said.
He then confirmed that negotiations with the EuroLeague are advancing and suggested that the next public update may not be far away.
“We are continuing to make progress there. We are making progress in discussions with the EuroLeague, and we anticipate that over the next several weeks we will have additional announcements.”
Asked when the 12 permanent franchises could be unveiled and whether potential investors were becoming impatient, Silver said that some parties would prefer to delay the launch.
“I’m not sure they are so impatient about next season. If it were up to some of them, we would wait longer to launch. Depending on where we stand with the EuroLeague, I do think it’s important that we introduce the competition into the market next summer. The initial product will be different from when we have ultimately brought all the teams together and are formally operating the league. We want to get going. There will be announcements coming over the next few months.”
However, Silver stressed that the NBA does not intend to rush decisions that could shape the future of European basketball.
“Everything takes longer than people outside of the league would like it to take, but these things are very involved, and we truly see it as a once-in-forever opportunity—historic in terms of what this could mean, not just for basketball, but for the European sports landscape—and we want to get it right.”
The NBA is still working through several major structural questions, including the player salary system, the aggregation of television rights, the division of responsibilities between the league and local markets, and plans for multiple new arenas across Europe.
“So, for us, ensuring that we are thinking about all the different structural issues that come with it—how you approach the salary system among your players, how we aggregate TV rights, what should be done locally—there are plans for multiple new arenas across Europe. I’m pleased with the progress we are making, and the team owners are as well, but this will take some more time. We are ready to firm everything up.”
Silver was also asked whether the Board of Governors had discussed a formal offer for the NBA to become the majority owner of the EuroLeague.
“Yes, we did discuss ongoing negotiations with the EuroLeague. I believe we are making progress there. We believe the league will be strengthened by joining forces with the EuroLeague. It doesn’t have to happen, but I think we would all be better off as a unified front in Europe.”
The NBA is developing the project alongside FIBA and is targeting a launch in the 2027–28 season.
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