The National Basketball Association (NBA) is set to review a proposal to establish a European Basketball League, a spokesperson confirmed, following reports of a potential competition featuring up to 10 teams.
According to Sportico, league owners will evaluate a plan that includes eight to 10 franchises, with up to four teams currently competing in the EuroLeague—Europe’s premier club competition.
Expansion into major European cities
The proposed European Basketball League would also introduce new franchises in cities such as London and Paris, with potential valuations reaching as high as $500 million.
An NBA spokesperson told AFP that the league would discuss the European league proposal this week, emphasizing that any new competition would be created “in partnership” with FIBA, the global governing body of basketball.
“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,” the spokesperson stated.
NBA’s growing interest in European basketball
Speculation about the NBA’s increasing involvement in European basketball has circulated for months. Last October, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum highlighted the untapped potential of the European market.
“There’s no doubt that I think there is an opportunity for the game of basketball to continue to grow in Europe,” Tatum said during a conference call.
“What we’re focused on is working with FIBA and our partners in Europe to tap into this untapped opportunity and further grow the game of basketball there.”
Despite basketball’s popularity across Europe, Tatum noted that the sport accounts for “less than a one percent share of the commercial market.”
“So we just think there’s an opportunity to have a better model for European basketball,” he added.
Investment model
While no formal vote on the European league proposal has been scheduled during this week’s NBA meetings in New York, team owners could approve the plan at any time.
Under the proposal, the NBA would sell permanent franchise slots to external investors, including sovereign wealth funds, private capital firms, wealthy individuals, or existing European basketball clubs.
If approved, this initiative could mark a significant expansion of the NBA’s global footprint, providing a new level of competition for European basketball.
