Adam Silver: NBA, FIBA pushing forward with plans for new league in Europe. But things take time
BERLIN — The atmosphere at Uber Arena was electric ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic showdown, but the most significant developments occurred off the court. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took the podium in the German capital to address the league’s most ambitious—and complex—global project: a standalone NBA league in Europe. While the vision remains clear, Silver’s message to eager stakeholders was one of tempered patience.
Silver reaffirmed that the NBA, in close partnership with FIBA, is "pushing forward" with the concept, but he emphasized the sheer magnitude of the logistical hurdles remaining. "To me, honestly, the real heavy lift would be creating a new league in Europe," Silver admitted, contrasting the project with the relatively straightforward process of domestic expansion into markets like Las Vegas or Seattle. "That’s an enormous undertaking, which is why we’ve been moving one step at a time."
The proposed framework, which has been circulating among European executives, reportedly targets an October 2027 launch. The model currently under exploration involves a 16-team competition featuring 12 permanent franchises and four slots determined through qualifying, ensuring a blend of commercial stability and sporting merit. However, Silver was careful to manage expectations regarding that timeline, noting that infrastructure and economic viability must be secured before tip-off.
The choice of Berlin for these remarks was no accident. With Germany holding recent World Cup and EuroBasket titles, and players like Franz Wagner representing the nation’s golden generation, the market is primed for elite competition. Silver acknowledged this "golden era" of German basketball as a driving force behind the league's persistence.
Yet, the Commissioner was candid about the financial reality. He described the initiative as a "startup venture" where participating clubs would initially act as investors seeking long-term returns rather than immediate profit. For now, the NBA and FIBA are aligned on the destination, but the roadmap remains under construction. As Silver noted, transforming the European basketball landscape is inevitable, but "things take time."
Silver reaffirmed that the NBA, in close partnership with FIBA, is "pushing forward" with the concept, but he emphasized the sheer magnitude of the logistical hurdles remaining. "To me, honestly, the real heavy lift would be creating a new league in Europe," Silver admitted, contrasting the project with the relatively straightforward process of domestic expansion into markets like Las Vegas or Seattle. "That’s an enormous undertaking, which is why we’ve been moving one step at a time."
The proposed framework, which has been circulating among European executives, reportedly targets an October 2027 launch. The model currently under exploration involves a 16-team competition featuring 12 permanent franchises and four slots determined through qualifying, ensuring a blend of commercial stability and sporting merit. However, Silver was careful to manage expectations regarding that timeline, noting that infrastructure and economic viability must be secured before tip-off.
The choice of Berlin for these remarks was no accident. With Germany holding recent World Cup and EuroBasket titles, and players like Franz Wagner representing the nation’s golden generation, the market is primed for elite competition. Silver acknowledged this "golden era" of German basketball as a driving force behind the league's persistence.
Yet, the Commissioner was candid about the financial reality. He described the initiative as a "startup venture" where participating clubs would initially act as investors seeking long-term returns rather than immediate profit. For now, the NBA and FIBA are aligned on the destination, but the roadmap remains under construction. As Silver noted, transforming the European basketball landscape is inevitable, but "things take time."
