The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced it is accelerating plans to create a new European basketball league in partnership with the sport's world governing body, Fiba. Further discussions with prospective team owners are scheduled for next month.
High-Level Meetings and a 'Roadshow' Summer
The ambitious project, often informally called NBA Europe, has been under serious consideration for several months. This past summer, NBA executives embarked on a European 'roadshow', meeting with existing clubs and potential investors. The high-profile tour included meetings with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, underscoring the UK's significance in the plans.
To gauge serious investment interest, the league has since enlisted financial advisors JPMorgan and the Raine Group. Their focus is on gauging interest for new franchises in major European cities, with London, Manchester, and Paris specifically named as key targets.
The Proposed Structure and Vision
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that conversations have "reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists" in Europe. He confirmed the NBA and Fiba are working together to engage ownership groups that share their vision for the game's growth on the continent.
The proposed league is expected to operate as a semi-closed competition. Most teams would hold permanent membership, but a limited number of places would be available through qualification, likely via Fiba's Basketball Champions League or a special end-of-season tournament. Organisers stress the schedule will be designed to align with domestic leagues and international windows, allowing players to continue representing their national teams.
Fiba Secretary General Andreas Zagklis hailed the project as "great news," stating it respects European sporting principles by offering a fair pathway to the top. He believes it will improve the sustainability of the entire basketball ecosystem in Europe through a positive knock-on effect for fans.
Potential Owners and a Staggering Price Tag
Teams in London and Manchester would be newly established franchises, not rebranded clubs from the British Basketball League. High-profile football club owners are heavily linked to the venture. Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and the Abu Dhabi ownership group of Manchester City are amongst those associated with the project. Similarly, Paris Saint-Germain's Qatari owners have held substantial talks about a Paris franchise.
The reported buy-in price, quoted by the NBA and its advisers, is between $500 million and $1 billion per franchise. This staggering figure has reportedly caused a stir, though football club owners are seen as possessing the brand value and reach the new league desires.
Not everyone welcomes the news. The existing EuroLeague competition has stated a new league is "not needed". Furthermore, doubts persist about the feasibility of the proposed 2027 launch date. The NBA, however, is convinced its commercial expertise can unlock the vast potential of European basketball, particularly in key markets like the UK where the sport lacks the visibility it enjoys elsewhere.
