NBA Considers Launching European Basketball League

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is reviewing a proposal to create a European basketball league, featuring up to 10 teams, including new franchises in cities like London and Paris. The proposed league, valued at $500 million, would be launched in partnership with FIBA, world basketball’s governing body.

According to a report by Sportico, the NBA would sell permanent franchise slots to outside investors, such as sovereign wealth funds, private capital, wealthy individuals, or existing European basketball clubs. The proposal includes eight to 10 franchises, with up to four teams already competing in the EuroLeague, Europe’s top club competition.

The NBA’s deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum, had previously mentioned the “untapped opportunity” to grow basketball in Europe. Tatum noted that despite basketball’s popularity in Europe, the sport has less than a one percent share of the commercial market. The proposed European league aims to tap into this opportunity and provide a better model for European basketball.

The NBA’s Board of Governors will discuss the proposal this week, although no formal vote has been scheduled. However, team owners could vote on the plan at any time. If approved, the European league would mark a significant expansion of the NBA’s presence in Europe, providing new opportunities for growth and development in the region.