The NBA announced on Monday its initiative to develop a new professional men’s basketball league in Europe in collaboration with FIBA. This prospective league aims to establish permanent teams while also providing additional spots through an annual qualification system. Teams from FIBA-affiliated domestic leagues across Europe will have the opportunity to qualify for the league by participating in the Basketball Champions League or through an end-of-year tournament.
To accommodate the commitments of players, the league’s schedule is designed to avoid conflicts with existing domestic and international competitions, ensuring that players can fulfill all their obligations throughout the season, as highlighted in the NBA’s news release.
According to CNBC, the valuations for these permanent franchises could surpass $1 billion, with bankers from JPMorgan and the Raine Group having engaged with over 70 potential investors. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the immense potential for a new league, stating that discussions with various stakeholders in Europe have strengthened this belief.
Silver expressed optimism for collaborating with FIBA, as both organizations aim to attract clubs and ownership groups that share their vision for developing the sport in Europe. The announcement also included a commitment to funding basketball development at professional, academy, and grassroots levels across the continent.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis welcomed the joint project, highlighting its significance for the European basketball community. He noted that the league’s format respects the principles of the European sports model, granting ambitious clubs a fair chance to reach the top. Zagklis emphasized that this initiative would enhance the sustainability of the European basketball ecosystem—including players, clubs, leagues, and national federations—ultimately benefiting fans throughout Europe.
The NBA is expected to provide further updates in the coming months, with plans to receive nonbinding ownership bids in January and potentially hold a vote to approve the league during the board of governors meeting in March. This ambitious venture marks a significant step towards expanding professional basketball opportunities in Europe, potentially transforming the landscape of the sport on the continent.