The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have announced plans to create a new basketball league in Europe — NBA Europe. This move could radically change the landscape of European basketball but has already provoked a sharp reaction from existing market players, including EuroLeague.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, together with FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, held a press conference where they stated their intention to explore the possibility of launching a new league in Europe. The project, which has the working title “NBA Europe,” envisions creating a competitive basketball structure from scratch that would combine elements of the American sports league model with traditional European approaches.
According to preliminary information, the league will include between 12 and 16 teams based in the largest cities on the continent. Interestingly, in addition to permanent participants, there will be a promotion and relegation system — something entirely absent in American leagues.
Silver emphasized that the project is being considered as a long-term investment in the development of basketball in Europe. Financial resources are planned to be allocated to support young talents, club academies, and infrastructure development. The NBA also sees potential in collaborating with local entrepreneurs to avoid complete dominance by American franchise owners.
However, the NBA’s idea has faced serious resistance from EuroLeague, which has been the leading basketball league in Europe for over two decades. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejūnas strongly voiced his opposition to the initiative, stating that Europe does not need another league or a “savior.”
“We have a strong league, an excellent plan, and a clear vision for the future. We do not need another league or someone to come and tell us how to develop,” Motiejūnas said in an interview with the Spanish channel Movistar+. He emphasized that EuroLeague already has a solid fan base and legendary clubs like Real Madrid, as well as successful expansion into new markets.
Motiejūnas criticized the hype surrounding the NBA project, noting that it distracts from the ongoing work to develop basketball in Europe. “Our task is to fill arenas and provide the best product, not create artificial buzz,” he added.
Photo: raymondclarkeimages/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0
