NBA and FIBA have officially begun engaging teams and owners to launch a new European basketball league next month, marking a bold step toward a continent-wide competition.
The League Concept
The proposed league will feature a mix of permanent spots and a merit-based pathway, allowing clubs to qualify annually through FIBA’s Basketball Champions League or an end-of-season tournament. Every team in a FIBA-affiliated European league would have the chance to qualify. The format respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club a fair pathway to the top, “The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top,” said FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis.
Structure and Qualification
Among the models explored is a 16-team league, with 12 permanent spots and the other four available through qualifying. Details such as the exact number of participating teams and the precise start date remain to be finalized. The working target for the inaugural season is October 2027.
Stakeholder Engagement
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the enthusiasm from European stakeholders, saying, “Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent.” The initiative has been discussed for many years, and recent momentum accelerated during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Earlier this year, Zagklis and Silver announced at a New York news conference that the NBA and FIBA were moving forward with the project.
European Star Power
The league’s appeal is amplified by the presence of several NBA stars born in Europe, including Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic, and Utah’s Lauri Markkanen. About one in six NBA players hail from Europe.
Timeline and Financial Partners
Efforts toward starting the new league seemed to intensify around the time of the 2024 Paris Olympics. JPMorgan and the Raine Group were brought on board this summer to advise on certain financial components. The working target for the inaugural season remains October 2027.
Target Countries and Upcoming Games
Current target countries for the NBA-FIBA endeavor include Britain (London and Manchester), France (Paris and Lyon), Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), Italy (Rome and Milan), Germany (Munich and Berlin), Greece (Athens) and Turkey (Istanbul). The NBA will host two regular-season games in Europe in mid-January, with the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic traveling to Berlin and London.
Key Takeaways
- NBA and FIBA plan a 16-team European league with 12 permanent spots and 4 qualifiers.
- The inaugural season is targeted for October 2027.
- The project benefits from European NBA stars and financial advisors JPMorgan and Raine Group.
The NBA and FIBA’s new league initiative aims to elevate basketball across the continent while creating a competitive platform that aligns with European sporting traditions.
