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The most recent news regarding the NBA’s collaboration with FIBA to broaden its reach in Europe, frequently referred to as NBA Europe, was presented by George Avaizoglou, the managing director for NBA Europe and the Middle East.
In an interview with The New York Times, the Greek executive discussed his expectations for the participating teams, highlighting interest from established basketball clubs, some football or soccer organizations, as well as newly formed teams.
“Current basketball clubs on the continent are keen to join, and many of these teams are part of larger multi-sport organizations,” he elaborated.
Examples of this can be seen in discussions with Real Madrid and Galatasaray.
“This presents a fantastic chance for them to diversify and create a multi-sport offering, which is quite prevalent in certain European nations, such as Spain, Greece, and Turkey, while being relatively rare in places like the United Kingdom. However, I truly believe there is a real interest for our presence there,” stated Avaizoglou.
“What’s particularly fascinating is that these clubs possess centuries of rich tradition, having established strong brands. In numerous instances, these brands resonate on a global scale, attracting fans worldwide,” he added, “From a practical standpoint, they are managed by individuals adept at filling arenas and crafting high-caliber teams. Coupled with their established fan bases, this presents immense value for the league right from the start.”
With a new European League projected to kick off in 2027 or 2028, as confirmed by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Avaizoglou spoke about the potential inclusion of teams from cities such as Paris, London, Manchester, Berlin, and Rome.
“We could also envision a scenario in which completely new brands are established in certain cities as part of this league, but I believe the majority will come from existing first or second tier teams,” he referenced earlier examples of well-established franchises.
Domestic leagues may also be integrated within the new league, akin to the current football structure utilized by UEFA.
“What exists in football is a streamlined, singular pyramid that is straightforward and comprehensible for funds, media investors, potential partners, and players,” Avaizoglou remarked. “Success in domestic leagues does not automatically provide a pathway for participating at a high level across the continent in a pan-European context, which I believe is a significant oversight as it diminishes the worth of those domestic leagues. Moreover, it restricts the wide array of teams within the ecosystem from aspiring to their own remarkable achievements. The story of Leicester winning the Premier League a few years ago was truly inspiring.”
Photo Credit: FIBA
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