US EditionNBA, FIBA Say They’re Moving Closer to New Planned Basketball League in Europe
- The NBA and FIBA said Monday that they will begin engaging prospective teams and ownership groups in January as the first step toward a pan‑European men's professional league.
- Driven by market opportunity, the NBA said Europe has about 270 million potential fans and planning intensified after the 2024 Paris Olympics, with discussions beginning about a year and a half ago.
- Financially, organisers propose a hybrid model with a proposed 16‑team format , while JPMorgan and the Raine Group met at least 70 potential investors and the NBA and FIBA pledged ecosystem support.
- Next steps include taking non-binding bids next month and aiming for a board of governors vote in March, with exhibition games in Europe possible in the near term while engaging prospective teams and ownership groups.
- Structurally, organisers say the league aims to improve sustainability across the European basketball ecosystem by investing in clubs, academies, and national programmes while involving sovereign wealth funds and European soccer club owners, potentially leading to Cup‑style events with NBA teams.
52 Articles
52 Articles
NBA Reportedly Wants To Make New European League Official In March, Reveals Details About Its Operation
A report on Monday claims the NBA is planning make their new European league official at the next Board of Governors meeting in March. The NBA Board of Governors made this determination during a call on Friday. This latest report follows the new European GBB League claiming in September that the NBA will be adding two teams in Europe in 2027. FIBA Europe president Jorge Garbajosa also said in September that he had heard 2027 as a potential date …
Chicago Tribune
By Tim Reynolds - The NBA and FIBA said Monday they will begin the process of engaging teams and owners about joining their new European league planned for next month. As expected, the league will offer both permanent spots and a “merit-based pathway” to qualify annually through FIBA’s Basketball Champions League or an end-of-season tournament, the parties said. Every team in a FIBA-affiliated European league would have the opportunity to qualif…
The NBA and FIBA officially announced on Monday that they will "begin exploring a new professional competition at the continental level" in January, as well as "begin discussions with candidate teams and their ownership structures to complete the accession process."
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