The NBA aims to launch a 16-team European league by the fall of 2027, with plans to finalize bids for an initial group of franchises within weeks. Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the league is moving forward with the project, which involves a partnership with FIBA and includes bids ranging from $500 million to $1 billion.
Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is leading the initiative, which has attracted significant financial interest, with bids for the permanent teams reportedly exceeding the $500 million to $1 billion range.
Expansion Targets and Financial Scope
The league has identified 12 target cities for its permanent franchises: Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul, London, Lyon, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris, and Rome. According to NBA officials, the interest in these markets has been substantial, including inquiries from cities that were not originally solicited for bids.
The influx of capital represents a significant moment for the sport in Europe, where basketball currently ranks as the second-most popular sport behind soccer, boasting over 270 million fans. The NBA plans to integrate existing basketball and soccer clubs into the league structure alongside entirely new franchises. We’ve had tremendous interest from multiple cities in Europe, including cities that we didn’t even ask for bids from,
Adam Silver said during the Board of Governors meetings in Las Vegas.
Negotiations with FIBA and EuroLeague
The NBA’s push into the European market is being executed in partnership with FIBA, the world governing body for basketball. While the league has engaged in discussions with EuroLeague leadership, Silver emphasized that the NBA is prepared to proceed regardless of the outcome of those talks. However, he maintained that the league is still pursuing a path that could result in the consolidation of the European basketball landscape.
“We began on this path saying that our plan was to go forward regardless of where the EuroLeague stood. But it was always our hope that we would be able to create some sort of consolidation of European basketball. I remain optimistic that we are going to be able to accomplish that.”
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
The league is working toward a tight timeline to secure these partnerships. With many potential bidders expected to be in New York for the World Cup final this coming Sunday, the league is aiming to wrap up deal negotiations in the coming weeks.
Growth of European Content and Viewership
The momentum behind the proposed European league follows a period of rapid growth in NBA content consumption across the continent. Amazon Prime Video reported a 129% year-over-year increase in viewership for the 2025-26 season. Furthermore, the 2025-26 season saw a record 71 European players on opening-night rosters, a trend bolstered by the rising prominence of stars like Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The proposed structure is designed to function alongside existing domestic leagues, ensuring that players remain eligible to represent their club teams and national squads. By providing commercial and operational expertise while respecting local traditions, the NBA hopes to replicate the success it has found in other international ventures, such as the Basketball Africa League, which launched in 2021.
Board of Governors Meeting and League Business
The updates on the European project were delivered during the NBA’s Board of Governors meetings in Las Vegas, an event that served as a hub for various league-wide discussions.
Find more reporting in our Sports section.
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