Adam Silver Discusses Possible Financiers for European Sporting Association with Interested Parties
The NBA is actively pursuing the establishment of a new basketball league in Europe, with the aim of launching the league around the 2026-27 season. According to recent reports, the league is set to feature approximately 12 permanent teams and four rotating wild-card spots based on performance in other competitions.
The initiative, which is being driven by NBA owners and Commissioner Adam Silver, is gaining momentum. During the 2025 NBA Finals, Silver stated that the league is starting to take shape. The commissioner has been in Europe promoting this vision, courting potential investors and teams, including high-profile European clubs such as Real Madrid, whose EuroLeague license expires in 2026, making them a likely candidate to join the new league.
Discussions are ongoing with banks and private equity firms to solidify financial structures for franchises. However, some existing EuroLeague teams have expressed skepticism about the high franchise fees, which could limit participation. The fees, which are reported to be $500 million or more per team, potentially up to $1 billion, reflect the NBA owners’ interest in significant financial gains without losing domestic TV revenue or league ownership stakes.
The potential markets for NBA Europe teams include major European cities such as London, with the league differing from the current EuroLeague by focusing on permanent, non-relegated teams similar to the NBA’s franchise model. Analyst Bill Simmons outlined a 10-team league model, emphasizing a distinctly NBA-style approach rather than the current European promotion/relegation system.
Key stakeholders in this initiative include established European basketball teams like Real Madrid, potential investors including private equity and banks, European markets including London and other large cities under consideration, and NBA owners and Commissioner Adam Silver.
The new league, backed by the NBA and FIBA, could potentially have a team based in London. The timeline for the launch of the European league is uncertain, with at least a couple years estimated if it comes together. The league's rules will be based on FIBA rules rather than NBA rules.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum are in Europe this week for meetings about the planned European basketball league. The NBA declined to comment about the meetings, and FIBA did not respond to a request for comment. The agenda for the meetings is private and has been granted anonymity.
The potential new franchises in the European league could present an attractive investment opportunity for private equity and sovereign wealth funds, as they look to gain financial pull in global basketball that is not easily available in the United States. However, the specific details about the restrictions or timeline for the European league have not been disclosed.
The NBA owners are likely to share in joint ownership of the planned European basketball league, but not directly own individual franchises, according to Sportico's previous report. The meetings involve government officials, adding a political dimension to the discussions.
As the NBA moves forward with its plans for a European league, it represents a strategic effort to expand its global footprint with a financially lucrative and structurally familiar league model for stakeholders accustomed to the NBA’s formula.
- The new European basketball league, a venture backed by the NBA and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, is attracting potential investors, such as private equity and sovereign wealth funds, who see it as an opportunity to gain financial influence in global basketball beyond what's available in the United States.
- In line with the NBA's business strategy, the potential European league aims to have a team based in London, focusing on a model of permanent, non-relegated teams like the NBA's franchise model, thereby appealing to major European cities.
- Despite some skepticism among existing EuroLeague teams due to high franchise fees, the NBA Europe league will adhere to FIBA rules, differentiating it from the current European league that operates under a promotion/relegation system.
