NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed that plans for a new European league are making progress, but don’t expect tipoff any time soon.
Speaking Friday in Oklahoma City during an NBA Finals off-day, Silver said the league is “at least a couple years away” from launching the Europe-based competition. “It’s measured in years, not months,” he emphasized.
The NBA is working in tandem with FIBA and has begun constructive discussions with EuroLeague and member clubs, aiming for a 16-team format. Silver prefers cooperation with existing leagues rather than starting from scratch, though no concrete structure has been finalized.
“There’s a lot of work to be done,” Silver noted, citing the need to align with stakeholders including teams, broadcasters, players, and sponsors.
The NBA Board of Governors is expected to revisit the topic during its July meeting in Las Vegas. A more formal announcement could come around the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which Silver called a potential “launching pad.”
Cities like London, Manchester, Rome, and Munich are already showing interest. With 1 in 6 current NBA players hailing from Europe, including stars like Jokic, Giannis, Doncic, and Wembanyama, the appetite for a Euro-centric NBA league has never been greater.
