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NEW YORK – After years of gaining advantages from European talent that has significantly enriched rosters, showcased exceptional abilities, and lately earned numerous All-Star selections and MVP titles, the NBA is set to reciprocate by expanding its presence internationally.
On Thursday, in a collaborative announcement with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed the potential launch of a new men’s basketball league in Europe. Following discussions with NBA owners at this week’s Board of Governors meetings, Silver and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis addressed the media later in the afternoon.
Basketball is the second most popular sport in Europe, trailing only soccer, with a robust fan following and a well-established framework of national and club teams. However, the NBA and FIBA have recognized a disparity between basketball’s immense popularity and the level of commercialization across the continent.
Details about the initiative remain limited at this preliminary stage. Silver indicated a league featuring 16 teams, comprising 12 permanent franchises and four positions that would be open for promotion or relegation each season. The teams would likely emerge from a combination of existing clubs, with possible departures from the Euroleague, alongside new franchises. They would be situated in established markets and European capitals, as well as locations identified as currently underserved or emerging hotspots for the sport.
Silver noted that NBA owners would engage in a partnership with the league rather than owning individual teams outright.
The NBA has been promoting its brand internationally for many years by making its games accessible through broadcasts and organizing events. Since the tenure of former commissioner David Stern, discussions about a European counterpart have been anticipated.
It is essential to underscore that this is merely the beginning of investigating the new league, not an official launch announcement.
“One aspect I find intriguing to explore,” Silver remarked, “is how we can establish a league from the ground up. What innovative approaches can we take based on 79 years of NBA experience and decades of insights from FIBA?”
He highlighted the optimistic reception the proposal received from NBA owners during Thursday’s discussions. Zagklis echoed this enthusiasm, noting a similar positive response from the FIBA Executive Committee meeting earlier this month in Mies, Switzerland.
“There is significant untapped potential in European club basketball,” the FIBA official stated. “A new league in Europe would merge the business expertise of the NBA with FIBA’s international knowledge to attract new basketball fans and investors, enhance club advantages, and foster synergies benefiting all stakeholders.”
Not all topics discussed at the Board of Governors meetings were focused on the European venture. In a Q&A session, Silver addressed several issues:
• On this season’s TV ratings, which have shown improvement: “There’s no doubt we started slowly. We faced tough competition from the Dodgers-Yankees World Series and a presidential election that garnered enormous attention, leading to significant drops early in the season. However, the ratings over the past two months reached the highest levels in six years, bringing us near parity with last year’s figures.”
• On NBA expansion: “In short, there are no new developments.”
The league seems to have paused its expansion plans, partially due to uncertainties surrounding regional sports networks and how they could impact any newly added markets.
• On the sale and transition of ownership for the Boston Celtics: “The Grousbeck family and the prospective buyer are still navigating the details regarding CEO and governor roles during this transitional period.”
• On the pending sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves, following an arbitration ruling favoring buyers Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez: “[Longtime owner] Glen Taylor retains the right to appeal, and I’m aware he’s weighing his options. He’s also in direct discussions with Lore and Rodriguez, so we’re in a holding pattern while waiting for their decisions.”
• On the circus-like aspects of media coverage surrounding the NBA, including the recent conflict between LeBron James and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith: “Sometimes the social media interest in our league rivals that of all other leagues combined, presenting a double-edged sword. While it’s fantastic to see so much engagement with our sport, there are times when I find myself cringing at the coverage.”
• On the practice of ‘tanking,’ where struggling teams intentionally lose games for better draft lottery odds, compromising the integrity of the competition: “At the moment, we don’t have a new strategy in place. We have a competition committee meeting scheduled for Friday. … One of the toughest aspects of my role is imposing fines and interfering with coaches’ minutes and strategies. However, we must also ensure we uphold competition integrity.”
• On All-Star Weekend and whether this year’s mini-tournament format was a success: “It wasn’t what we hoped for. We’re far from establishing an All-Star experience that we can truly take pride in, and that our players can as well. … We thrive on competition, and I believe our players recognize they haven’t fully delivered.”
Silver announced that NBC, now a returning TV partner for the league, will broadcast All-Star Weekend next February and is excited to showcase the event in Los Angeles. While he observed the success of the NHL’s “national squad” tournament, he remains uncertain if a USA vs. World format is suitable for the NBA next year.
“So, we’re back to the drawing board,” the commissioner concluded.
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Steve Aschburner has covered the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email here, browse his archive here, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
