NBA's Europe league timeline blows out

• Discussions are ongoing, with no league format agreed upon yet
• European expansion will not take priority over NBA expansion to two new American cities
• London, Manchester, Rome, and Munich are cities expected to register interest

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed that discussions regarding the establishment of a European basketball league continue to progress, though fans eager for this development may need to exercise patience, reports ESPN. Speaking at a league event in Oklahoma City during an NBA Finals rest day, Silver indicated that turning this ambitious vision into reality will take "at least a couple more years."

"It's measured in years, not months," Silver explained when addressing the timeline for the European league launch. "It would be an enormous undertaking. While we want to move forward at a deliberate pace, we also want to make sure that we're consulting with all the appropriate stakeholders."

A Long-awaited Partnership Taking Shape

The partnership between the NBA and FIBA, officially announced in March by Silver and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, aims to create a 16-team European league. This concept, which has been discussed in basketball circles for decades, is finally gaining tangible momentum.

Since the public announcement, Silver noted that conversations have become increasingly productive. The NBA has engaged directly with EuroLeague officials and member clubs about potential partnership structures, with Silver expressing his preference for collaboration with existing European basketball frameworks.

"Either way, we continue to feel there are an enormous number of under-served basketball fans in Europe and that there's a strong opportunity to have another league styled after the NBA," Silver stated, highlighting the untapped market potential.

The timing for this expansion aligns with the unprecedented influence of European players in the NBA. Approximately one in six current NBA players comes from Europe, including several who have dominated the league's highest individual honours.

Serbia's Nikola Jokic and Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo have claimed five of the past seven Most Valuable Player awards between them, while Slovenia's Luka Doncic and France's Victor Wembanyama represent the next wave of European superstars reshaping the NBA landscape.

Next Steps in the Development Process

The NBA's board of governors will discuss further developments regarding the European expansion during their scheduled meeting in Las Vegas this July. While specific timelines remain flexible, Silver suggested the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could serve as an ideal platform for launching or announcing the new competition.

"That might be a good launching pad for an announcement around a new competition," Silver remarked, recognising the heightened global attention that international basketball will receive during the Olympics.

Although formal discussions with specific cities have yet to commence, several major European markets have already expressed interest in hosting teams. London, Manchester, Rome, and Munich are among the cities expected to pursue involvement in this groundbreaking venture.

"We haven't had direct conversations yet," Silver acknowledged. "But there have been several organisations that have come forward and said they would be interested, and potential owners, in operating in those major markets in Europe."

The Consultation Process

The NBA's methodical approach involves extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders before finalising plans for the European league. Silver emphasised the importance of engaging with existing leagues, teams, European players, media companies, and marketing partners to ensure the new competition enhances rather than disrupts the European basketball ecosystem.

"There's a lot of work to be done," Silver admitted, underscoring the complexity of creating a league that successfully integrates with established basketball structures while meeting NBA standards.

The concept of an NBA-affiliated European league isn't new. The NBA has consistently pursued global expansion strategies over several decades, recognising basketball's potential as a truly international sport.

Previous initiatives include preseason and regular-season games in Europe, Asia, and Mexico, the development of Basketball Africa League, and the NBA Global Academy program. These efforts have established valuable precedents for the European league project, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities of expanding the NBA's footprint abroad.

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