New European Basketball League: An Ambitious Project with Support from the NBA and FIBA
The NBA and FIBA are collaborating to launch a new basketball league in Europe, with the possibility of it starting in 2027 or 2028, although an official date has not yet been defined. Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, commented in a conference that starting in 2027 would be “ambitious, without a doubt”, considering the pending challenges, but did not rule out the possibility. He reiterated that the timeframe could be two to three years, noting that existing stadiums in Europe could be used at first, while more modern infrastructure is developed.Silver mentioned earlier this year that starting the league near the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 might be more sensible. In March, the NBA and FIBA announced plans to establish a new European league, ending years of speculation about when and how this project would be carried out. The process has advanced rapidly, and a significant step was taken last month when the NBA hired JPMorgan Chase and Raine Group to advise on finance and strategy. Silver reported that he and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum have had positive meetings with political leaders, teams, media companies, potential investors and other stakeholders in Europe, while work continues in the league offices to make the project a reality.I don’t think we want to wait much beyond 2028. The opportunity to do something like this is now.
Adam Silver
The initial plans suggest that the new league will have 16 teams, although this number could change. It is likely that European clubs such as Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Istanbul, and Barcelona will be part of the NBA’s plans for the new league, along with other major football brands such as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Approximately one in six current NBA players are European, including Nikola Jokic of Serbia and Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece, who together have won five of the last seven MVP awards, as well as Luka Doncic of Slovenia and Victor Wembanyama of France.I would say I am excited about this.
Adam Silver
Basketball is probably the fastest growing sport in the world right now, and it’s a very important sport in Europe, second only to football, so I think there’s a real opportunity.
Adam Silver
