- The NBA and FIBA are in conversations to start an NBA-owned league in Europe.
- This league would compete with the EuroLeague and other European professional leagues.
- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will be in Paris for two games between San Antonio and Indiana in January to answer questions.
The NBA has been discussing a move to Europe for a long time. The league has a solid foothold in Europe, and a lot of its top players hail from there. Now, the NBA is looking to cement its footprint there even more.
It is reported that the NBA and FIBA has been in “serious conversations” about starting an NBA-owned league.
Silver Expected to Have Answers Next Month for NBA Games in Paris
The Athletic reported on January 9 that the NBA and FIBA (the International Basketball Federation) have been in contact about creating an NBA-owned European league.
In his end-of-year press conference, FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis stated:
“There is clear interest (by the NBA) and there are ongoing discussions with FIBA. We’ve been having, and will continue having, discussions with … the company that operates the EuroLeague.
It is something that has been on our radar. We tried to bring everyone together. This was not possible. So, our job is to continue having serious conversations with our partners at the NBA.”
This league is expected to compete with the EuroLeague, which is considered the top league on the continent. However, permanent member teams, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Fenerbahçe, could allow their license to expire.
There will likely be more clarity in January, when the NBA is in Paris for a pair of games between the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers. The Spurs are, of course, led by Victor Wembanyama, a regular fixture in our daily NBA player props and a native of France. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will have to answer questions about this potential alliance with FIBA.
Why Does the NBA Want Their Own European League?
Simply put, it’s financially motivated. Zagklis also stated that, “basketball in Europe is punching much below its (weight in) commercial potential”. This is especially true when you consider that many of the NBA’s top players are now from Europe.
Five of the last six NBA MVP awards have gone to two European players, as Serbia’s Nikola Jokić has three, and Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo has two. Then, you have Slovenia’s Luka Dončić around the top of the league, and Germany’s Franz Wagner was playing extremely well before he got hurt. The Athletic also notes that 15% of the NBA is now European.
It’s interesting to see what this would to the EuroLeague, which is the top tier of continental basketball right now. If teams like Real Madrid and Barça let their contracts expire, is that the end for the league? Will players leave that league to flock to this NBA-owned league, where they will be potentially higher salaries? Could the EuroLeague also get involved with this league?
There are still a ton of questions about this potential association as the NBA tries to increase its global footprint. We are likely to have answers fairly soon, as the league continues negotiations with FIBA.
