New European Basketball League in 2027-2028: An Ambitious Project Backed by the NBA and FIBA
The NBA and FIBA are working together to launch a new basketball league in Europe, with a possible start date between 2027 and 2028. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has shared details about this ambitious project. Silver, during a conference, described the start in 2027 as “ambitious”, acknowledging the pending challenges. However, he did not rule out this possibility, reiterating that the deadline could be two to three years. He highlighted the advantage of initially using the existing arenas in Europe while more modern infrastructure is developed.Previously, Silver suggested that starting the league near the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could be more viable. In March, the NBA and FIBA announced their plans for this new European league, ending the speculation. The project has advanced rapidly, with the incorporation of JPMorgan Chase and Raine Group to advise on finance and strategy. Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum have held positive meetings with political leaders, teams, media companies, and investors in Europe, while working internally to make this project a reality.I don’t think we want to go much beyond 2028. The opportunity to do something like this is now.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
The initial plans contemplate a league with 16 teams, although this number could vary. The participation of European clubs such as Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Istanbul and Barcelona is expected, along with important football brands such as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Currently, approximately one in six NBA players is European, including Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Luka Doncic (Slovenia), and Victor Wembanyama (France).I would say I am excited about this.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
Basketball is probably the fastest growing sport in the world right now, and it’s a very important sport in Europe, after football, so I think there’s a real opportunity.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
