The National Basketball Association (NBA) has confirmed it is accelerating its ambitious project to create a major new professional basketball league in Europe, in partnership with the sport's global governing body, FIBA.
High-Stakes Talks and High-Profile Meetings
Further discussions with potential team owners and investors are scheduled for next month, marking a significant step forward for the venture, unofficially known as NBA Europe. The plans have been under serious discussion for months, with NBA executives, including commissioner Adam Silver, embarking on a European roadshow this past summer.
That tour included high-level meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, underscoring the political and commercial importance attached to the project. To gauge market interest and structure the league, the NBA has enlisted the expertise of financial giants JPMorgan and the Raine Group.
The Vision for a New European League
Commissioner Adam Silver stated that conversations across Europe have solidified the league's belief in a substantial opportunity. "Together with Fiba, we look forward to engaging prospective clubs and ownership groups that share our vision for the game’s potential in Europe," he said.
The proposed league is designed as a semi-closed competition. The majority of teams would be permanent members, with a limited number of slots available through qualification, potentially via FIBA's Basketball Champions League or a special end-of-season tournament. Organisers have pledged that the schedule will be aligned with existing domestic leagues and international windows to avoid conflicts for players.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis hailed the progress, calling it "great news for the European basketball community." He emphasised that the format respects European sporting principles by providing a fair pathway to the top and is intended to improve the sustainability of the entire basketball ecosystem on the continent.
Franchise Fees, Football Owners, and a 2027 Target
The financial scale of the project is vast. The reported buy-in price for a franchise has been quoted between $500 million and $1 billion, a figure that has reportedly given some potential investors pause. Notably, football club owners linked to the project, such as those from Chelsea and Manchester City, are said to believe their existing global brand value should be a significant asset in negotiations.
Teams in London and Manchester would be newly created entities, distinct from the current British Basketball League clubs. Interest has also been strong in Paris, where the owners of Paris Saint-Germain, Qatar Sports Investments, have held detailed talks.
The NBA believes its commercial expertise can unlock the potential of European basketball, particularly in major markets like the UK where the sport lacks a high-profile professional league. However, the planned 2027 launch date remains a point of discussion, and the established EuroLeague competition has publicly stated that a new rival league is "not needed." The coming months of talks will be crucial in determining whether NBA Europe becomes a reality.
