EuroLeague shareholders have rejected the NBA’s initial proposal to merge with NBA Europe, but they have paused plans for EuroLeague expansion, leaving room for future discussions. The move signals resistance to the NBA's terms while keeping the possibility of cooperation open.
The NBA aims to launch NBA Europe in the fall of 2027, with 12 permanent teams and four additional spots teams could earn through domestic leagues and tournaments. Franchise fees for the permanent teams are expected to range between $500 million and $1 billion. However, the EuroLeague’s 13 permanent members unanimously dismissed the NBA’s merger proposal, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and The Athletic.
Joe Varden of The Athletic cited sources close to the EuroLeague who described the rejection as “expected,” adding that while the owners “didn’t like the terms,” there remains “a willingness to negotiate.” One European team executive said, “A few clubs are anti-NBA Europe, but a bulk of the clubs (just) didn’t like the proposal.” Without the EuroLeague’s backing, a launch of NBA Europe by October 2027 would be “impossible,” according to a source linked to a likely NBA Europe franchise.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been clear about the league’s ambitions. He described NBA Europe as “historic from our standpoint in terms of what this could mean, not just for basketball but the European sport landscape.” Silver also expressed a desire for collaboration, saying after last month’s Board of Governors meeting, “We believe that [NBA Europe] would be strengthened by joining forces with the EuroLeague. It doesn’t have to happen, but I think we all would be better off as a unified front in Europe.”
The NBA’s plan targets 12 European cities for its permanent franchises, including Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, London, Berlin, and Athens. Some of these cities, like London and Manchester, currently lack top-tier EuroLeague teams. The NBA hopes to establish or elevate smaller local clubs, ideally linked to major soccer teams in those cities.
While some EuroLeague teams are reportedly considering jumping to NBA Europe, the league’s shareholders have put their expansion plans on hold, which was another request from the NBA. This pause could provide a window for negotiations to create a more financially viable and agreeable structure for all parties.
The NBA is currently reviewing bids for the permanent teams it plans to place in those 12 markets. Silver described NBA Europe as a “once-in-forever opportunity” and emphasised the league’s intention to “get it right” rather than rush the process.
In the meantime, the NBA will stage two regular-season games in Europe this season. On January 14, 2024, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will face the New Orleans Pelicans in Paris. Three days later, the same teams will meet in Manchester, England, marking the first NBA game ever played in that city. These events are part of the NBA’s broader push to expand its European presence ahead of NBA Europe’s planned debut.
The EuroLeague’s rejection of the NBA’s merger proposal and the halt to its expansion plans set the stage for more complex negotiations in the coming months. Both sides seem to acknowledge that some form of cooperation would be beneficial, but the details remain unresolved.
According to Yahoo Sports.
