The NBA wants to start a European circuit in 2027.
It appears that the National Basketball Association and the governing body of international basketball, FIBA, don’t necessarily want to start a European business venture without participation of the EuroLeague. NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver thinks the backers of the established EuroLeague, FIBA and his 30 owners will work out something in time for the 2027-2028 season. “It’s like any negotiation, it’s ongoing,” said Silver in a CNBC interview. “I think it’s too extreme to say it’s a rough patch. We’ve been going back and forth with the Euroleague. They’re the existing pan-regional league right now in Europe. On top of that, there’s leagues in every country. It’s hard to believe there are 1,200 professional clubs in Europe. So Euroleague is the top-tier competition right now. We’re going forward with what we’re calling NBA Europe and we’re hoping we’ll work something out with the Euroleague. I think we will.”
EuroLeague shareholders turned down an initial offer from the NBA which would allow the proposed NBA European circuit and the established European league to co-exist. EuroLeague shareholders are coming up with a counter proposal. The EuroLeague has been around in one form or another since 1958 and has 20 teams. It is considered the top league in Europe and may be the second-best league in the world. Some NBA players have spent time developing their skills in the EuroLeague. The NBA is aiming for a league that will also try to maximize the commercial potential of basketball in Europe while honoring the European basketball traditions. The NBA is targeting a 16-team circuit and has 12 cities in mind. London and Manchester in England, Paris and Lyon in France, Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, Milan and Rome in Italy, Berlin and Munich in Germany and Athens, Greece and Istanbul, Turkey. The talks will continue.
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