The NBA is on the brink of a potentially transformative expansion into European professional basketball. NBA commissioner Adam Silver plans to present initial plans for a new pro basketball league in Europe to the NBA Board of Governors, with operations targeted to begin by 2026. The project is a strategic move to expand the league’s footprint within the European basketball market.
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Silver has proposed a 16-team league that would include deep-pocketed investors, EuroLeague defectors, and new teams based in cities such as Paris and London. His proposal follows months of discussions with European clubs, potential investors, and representatives from FIBA, the international basketball governing body.
The plan remains in the early stages, with no formal agreements yet in place. The commissioner must secure approval from the NBA’s 30 governors before advancing the league’s development. “The process is just beginning,” a high-ranking NBA official said, per The Athletic, underscoring the preliminary nature of the discussions.
In a statement, NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed the league’s intentions: “At this week’s NBA Board of Governors meeting, the league will report on its exploration of a new men’s basketball league in Europe, in partnership with FIBA.”
Silver has spent months laying the groundwork for this venture, including a visit to Paris where he held multiple meetings with European basketball stakeholders. The proposed league format would include franchise-owned teams as well as performance-based qualification slots for clubs from national leagues and the FIBA Basketball Champions League.
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While the upcoming board meeting marks an important step toward the potential creation of a European basketball league, no vote is currently scheduled. The proposal aims to balance the NBA’s business objectives with the existing European basketball infrastructure.
If approved, the league would represent a major expansion for the NBA, creating new pathways for player development and opening up additional revenue streams. Silver has taken a calculated approach, ensuring ownership approval before making firm commitments to European basketball.
As the NBA Board of Governors prepares to hear Silver’s pitch, the basketball world watches with anticipation. A favorable outcome could mark the beginning of a new era in international professional basketball.