NBA, FIBA to begin formally talking to teams about NBA Europe in January
NBA, FIBA Set to Accelerate European Expansion with Formal Talks in January
The NBA’s long-gestating ambition to establish a permanent footprint across the Atlantic is shifting from theoretical exploration to concrete action. Following months of speculation and financial due diligence, the league, in partnership with FIBA, announced that it will begin formal discussions with prospective teams and ownership groups in January regarding the creation of a standalone NBA Europe league.
This move marks a significant escalation in the NBA’s global strategy. While informal conversations have occurred throughout 2025—with J.P. Morgan and the Raine Group reportedly assessing valuations—the January meetings signal the start of a structured acquisition phase. The proposed competition aims to reshape the fractured European basketball landscape by introducing a hybrid model that blends American-style franchise stability with European sporting merit.
According to the joint announcement, the projected league—tentatively eyeing a Fall 2027 launch—would feature a mix of permanent members and clubs that qualify annually. This structure addresses a critical friction point in European sports culture: the resistance to closed leagues. By offering a "merit-based pathway" through FIBA’s Basketball Champions League or a year-end qualifying tournament, the NBA and FIBA are attempting to secure buy-in from traditional powerhouses like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona while respecting the continent’s open-system roots.
Crucially, the proposal promises to align its schedule with domestic leagues and national team windows, a direct shot at the scheduling conflicts that have long plagued the EuroLeague. Adam Silver emphasized that the league’s research has confirmed an "enormous opportunity" exists, while FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis noted the format would support the broader ecosystem, including domestic leagues and academies.
As the NBA prepares to sit down with ownership groups next month, the stakes for global basketball have never been higher. If successful, this venture wouldn't just be an expansion; it would be a fundamental restructuring of the sport’s second-largest market, bringing NBA infrastructure and capital directly to the doorsteps of Europe’s historic franchises.
The NBA’s long-gestating ambition to establish a permanent footprint across the Atlantic is shifting from theoretical exploration to concrete action. Following months of speculation and financial due diligence, the league, in partnership with FIBA, announced that it will begin formal discussions with prospective teams and ownership groups in January regarding the creation of a standalone NBA Europe league.
This move marks a significant escalation in the NBA’s global strategy. While informal conversations have occurred throughout 2025—with J.P. Morgan and the Raine Group reportedly assessing valuations—the January meetings signal the start of a structured acquisition phase. The proposed competition aims to reshape the fractured European basketball landscape by introducing a hybrid model that blends American-style franchise stability with European sporting merit.
According to the joint announcement, the projected league—tentatively eyeing a Fall 2027 launch—would feature a mix of permanent members and clubs that qualify annually. This structure addresses a critical friction point in European sports culture: the resistance to closed leagues. By offering a "merit-based pathway" through FIBA’s Basketball Champions League or a year-end qualifying tournament, the NBA and FIBA are attempting to secure buy-in from traditional powerhouses like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona while respecting the continent’s open-system roots.
Crucially, the proposal promises to align its schedule with domestic leagues and national team windows, a direct shot at the scheduling conflicts that have long plagued the EuroLeague. Adam Silver emphasized that the league’s research has confirmed an "enormous opportunity" exists, while FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis noted the format would support the broader ecosystem, including domestic leagues and academies.
As the NBA prepares to sit down with ownership groups next month, the stakes for global basketball have never been higher. If successful, this venture wouldn't just be an expansion; it would be a fundamental restructuring of the sport’s second-largest market, bringing NBA infrastructure and capital directly to the doorsteps of Europe’s historic franchises.
