Silver reveals PSG talks over NBA Europe plan
The NBA’s long-rumored expansion into the European market appears to be gaining substantial momentum, with Commissioner Adam Silver confirming high-level discussions with one of global football’s biggest brands. Speaking to reporters in London this weekend, Silver revealed that the league has engaged in talks with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) regarding their potential involvement in a proposed NBA Europe league.
The discussions mark a pivotal moment for the NBA’s transatlantic ambitions. While the league has historically held exhibition and regular-season games in Europe, the goal has shifted toward establishing a standalone competition by 2027. According to Silver, the proposed entity would be operated in partnership with FIBA and likely feature a 16-team format, blending established European basketball powerhouses with new, capital-backed franchises.
PSG, owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), represents a unique entry point. Unlike Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, which have operated successful basketball divisions for decades, PSG currently has no basketball operations. However, Silver emphasized that the club’s lack of hardwood history is outweighed by their business acumen. "We have enormous respect for their operating capabilities," Silver noted, highlighting the club's status as a premier global lifestyle brand. The Commissioner confirmed that while PSG is a football-first institution, they possess the "know-how" to operate at the highest level of sport.
The potential partnership raises questions regarding the NBA’s strict ownership rules, which currently cap sovereign wealth fund investments in domestic franchises at 20 percent. However, Silver suggested that the NBA Europe project might operate under a different financial framework, describing the inclusion of QSI-backed teams as "ambitious but doable."
For the NBA, securing a foothold in Paris is non-negotiable. With the explosion of French talent in the league—headlined by Victor Wembanyama—France has become the NBA’s most critical overseas market. If PSG commits to the project, it would provide the league with an instant anchor in the French capital, leveraging the football club’s massive existing fanbase to jumpstart the new competition.
The discussions mark a pivotal moment for the NBA’s transatlantic ambitions. While the league has historically held exhibition and regular-season games in Europe, the goal has shifted toward establishing a standalone competition by 2027. According to Silver, the proposed entity would be operated in partnership with FIBA and likely feature a 16-team format, blending established European basketball powerhouses with new, capital-backed franchises.
PSG, owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), represents a unique entry point. Unlike Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, which have operated successful basketball divisions for decades, PSG currently has no basketball operations. However, Silver emphasized that the club’s lack of hardwood history is outweighed by their business acumen. "We have enormous respect for their operating capabilities," Silver noted, highlighting the club's status as a premier global lifestyle brand. The Commissioner confirmed that while PSG is a football-first institution, they possess the "know-how" to operate at the highest level of sport.
The potential partnership raises questions regarding the NBA’s strict ownership rules, which currently cap sovereign wealth fund investments in domestic franchises at 20 percent. However, Silver suggested that the NBA Europe project might operate under a different financial framework, describing the inclusion of QSI-backed teams as "ambitious but doable."
For the NBA, securing a foothold in Paris is non-negotiable. With the explosion of French talent in the league—headlined by Victor Wembanyama—France has become the NBA’s most critical overseas market. If PSG commits to the project, it would provide the league with an instant anchor in the French capital, leveraging the football club’s massive existing fanbase to jumpstart the new competition.
