David Stern had a dream, Adam Silver may soon be a reality. Well almost. The former boss of the NBA already mentioned the hypothesis of a franchise located in Europe almost thirty years back. This is not quite the way followed by his successor, aware of the logistical puzzle that this still represents today despite the evolution of technologies. “”We could have franchises here [en Europe] One day but it is not our priority at the moment. We would need supersonic planes for that“, Confides Silver. However, for several months, speculation around a growing interest of the NBA for the European market is becoming more and more pressing. David Kahn, the American president of Paris Basketball, even said that stadium it was necessary “no longer talk about rumors but a project.“
A NBA League in Europe, but in what form?
Passing through France on the occasion of the two regular season matches between the Spurs of Victor Wembanyama and the Pacers at Accor Arena de Bercy, the NBA boss expressed again on the subject. The information is filtering at the moment in the dropper but it all go in the same direction: that of creating a new championship on the continent. “”We are still thinking about the shape it would take. But we can imagine an independent league in partnership with FIBA, as we did for the ball [Basketball Africa League, lancée en 2020 – NDLR].“
The desire to associate the FIBA is essential. Because Europe is already divided between the competitions of the International Federation and those of the Euroleague, which would refuse for the moment to participate in the negotiations. The fact that the greatest local authorities are included in the development of the project suggests that certain traditions will be respected, particularly in terms of rules and calendar. “”We advance slowly to ensure that everything we do is accepted by the ecosystem already in place. We had direct conversations with the shareholders this week. We want to respect the traditions of European sport, whatever the direction we take“, admits Adam Silver. Last November, the secretary general of Fiba Andreas Zagklis mentioned discussions with the NBA and underlined”The desire to grow our sport while respecting our fundamentals.“It is therefore likely that this future league will go overall in this direction.
A huge market to (re) conquer
For the NBA, the motivations are all found. The product is already there. It is just not well sold enough. And it is on this point that the Americans want to bring their expertise. “”It is our specialty to direct and operate leagues“, Silver specifies at a press conference in Paris.”I think there is a massive opportunity to bring basketball to another levelici. (…) The quality of the game is fantastic. Several of our best players are from the continent. But we believe that commercial opportunities have not changed at the same rate as the growing popularity of basketball in Europe.“
The Euroleague, which is currently the best world championship outside the United States, is appreciated for its committed matches, its level of play and its incredible atmospheres in the Greek, Turkish or Serbian rooms. The NBA is not insensitive to all of this. It sees the potential and the limits of its current exploitation. She wants to put her grain of salt and her marketing touch for “Help the game to grow“But also obviously taking a strong economic profit from it by focusing on the big markets that are Paris, London, Madrid, Milan and Berlin.
-Clubs, the nerve of war
Large cities all expected to occupy a central place in the new league. And in particular the French capital, which would be at the heart of the project, whether via Paris basketball or not. For the moment, Silver “does not exclude any possibility“In terms of teams. Not even an affiliation with football clubs like Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester United. It remains unlikely that these institutions will land in the world of the orange ball but the idea obviously remains to attract The biggest clubs.
Panathinaikos denied having been approached but its coach Ergin Ataman recently declared that “The Euroleague had to be careful” because “The NBA could invite“the panel”to join their championship.“If the best clubs decide to change direction, the Euroleague may be put under pressure to sit at the negotiation table. 13 of the 18 teams today have a permanent license with the ECA, the Organization that manages the competition. but the deal expires in 2026 and, even if the teams have a verbal agreement to continue, nothing has been signed.
Kick -off in 2026?
“I think it's important for us to be associated with this project“, Admitted Tony Parker, legend of tricolor basketball and president of ASVEL, one of the three French clubs hired at the highest continental level. Most clubs may think the same. Because many are currently losing from Money.
The American League has gathered its European interests in a category which also integrates the Middle East. Dubai currently has a fourth team in the Adriatic championship, where Serbian and Croatian clubs are playing in particular. The Emiratis have a lot of money to offer and preseason matches are regularly organized in Abu Dhabi (which will host the final of Euroleague next May). There are also historic clubs in Israel. So many markets to invest for the NBA. If everything would still be in design, it is possible that a league will finally be announced soon with why not even a kick -off in 2026.
