NBA to review proposal for a European league, which includes new London, Paris franchises
Sports business news website Sportico says league owners will consider a plan that includes eight to 10 franchises, some worth US$500 million
The NBA is to review a proposal to create a European basketball league, a spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday, after a report detailed a new competition that could feature up to 10 teams.
Sports business news website Sportico said league owners will consider a plan that includes eight to 10 franchises, including up to four teams who already play in the EuroLeague – Europe’s top club competition.
The proposed league would also feature new franchises in cities such as London and Paris that could be worth as much as US$500 million, Sportico reported, citing a source with direct knowledge of the plans.
An NBA spokesperson said the league would consider the issue of a European league this week, noting that any new competition would be launched “in partnership” with Fiba, world basketball’s governing body.
“At this week’s NBA Board of Governors meeting, the league will report on its exploration of a new men’s basketball league in Europe, in partnership with Fiba,” the spokesperson said.
Rumours of the NBA taking a bigger role in European basketball have swirled for several months, with deputy commissioner Mark Tatum saying last October there was an “untapped opportunity” to grow the sport in the region.