NBA commissioner Adam Silver has provided the clearest update yet on the league’s plans to expand overseas and it sounds like Europe could be getting its own NBA-style league sooner than expected.
Speaking to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Silver confirmed that talks for a new professional basketball league in Europe are ongoing and entirely separate from the NBA’s domestic expansion plans.
What Did Adam Silver Say About the NBA’s Europe Plans?
Silver addressed growing speculation about the NBA’s next big move and that international expansion. When asked whether the European project might delay expansion or relocation plans in the U.S., Silver made it clear the two tracks are separate.
“No, they are on completely independent tracks, and even different people at the league office who are thinking about the domestic expansion versus what the opportunity is in Europe,” Silver said. “I am a big believer that there very well may be an opportunity for a viable NBA-style league in Europe. And that work is continuing.”
He added that the league has brought in major financial partners to explore the idea. “We hired JPMorgan, which is working alongside a boutique investment firm called Raine. That work is ongoing. I had several meetings in Europe this summer with interested stakeholders, but we view that project as completely independent of domestic expansion, and our owners do as well,” Silver explained.
The NBA’s interest in Europe meanwhile is no secret, but the latest developments show just how serious the league is. Over the summer, Silver, deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, and NBA Europe & Middle East director George Aivazoglou met with several potential investors and partners.
One of the most notable meetings took place in Paris with representatives from Real Madrid, one of Europe’s biggest sports powerhouses.
The club’s involvement would represent a major step toward forming a true NBA-backed European league. According to reports, the discussion centered on how Real Madrid’s basketball operations could fit into a potential NBA Europe structure.
Before that, Silver and his team also met in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The U.K. capital remains a prime candidate for an NBA Europe franchise.
The NBA will return to London in January 2026 for a Global Games matchup between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies, a showcase that could serve as a test run for future European expansion.
Why Is Europe So Important to the NBA?
For years, Silver and league executives have made it clear that they view Europe as the next frontier. The continent already produces some of the best talent in basketball, including Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama and boasts a massive fan base.
“While Europe continues to develop some of the very best players in the world … we think that the commercial opportunity has not kept pace with the growth of the game,” Silver said previously as per ESPN.
European basketball currently follows a structure similar to soccer, with domestic leagues feeding into the EuroLeague to determine the continent’s top teams.
But Silver sees room for a more centralized, NBA-like model that could unlock even greater commercial and competitive potential.
The NBA’s momentum at home only strengthens its position abroad. According to Sportico, the average NBA franchise is now worth $5.51 billion, up 20% from last year and more than double its value in 2022. With the league booming financially, Silver and his team are looking to extend that success internationally.
By partnering with firms like JPMorgan and Raine, the NBA is clearly laying the groundwork for an ambitious league that could bring the NBA’s brand, structure, and marketing power to Europe on a permanent basis.
