Overview

• NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the league's intent to explore creating a European basketball league in collaboration with FIBA, marking a significant step in the NBA's global expansion strategy.
• The proposed league structure includes 12 permanent franchises and 4 rotating members, with a semi-closed model resembling the Basketball Africa League and other recent sports initiatives.
• Major European cities such as Paris, Madrid, London, and Berlin are being targeted for franchises, with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), owners of PSG, expressing interest in a Paris-based team.
• The league could launch as early as the 2026-2027 season, with an estimated franchise entry fee of $500 million, reflecting the high financial stakes involved.
• The EuroLeague's role remains uncertain as discussions continue, with concerns about potential competition and disruption to the traditional European basketball ecosystem.