During the 2025 NBA Paris Games, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed the league’s ongoing interest in establishing a European basketball league.
Silver clarified that this would not be a direct expansion of the NBA itself but rather the formation of a new, independent league modeled after the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
NBA Commissioner acknowledged that this focus on Europe has delayed the league’s consideration of domestic expansion.
While NBA leadership has expressed interest in adding teams stateside, Silver emphasized that such developments are not likely shortly.
The shift in attention toward European ventures has, for now, diverted resources and slowed momentum for potential new NBA franchises.
Another factor hindering NBA expansion is the ongoing sale process of the Boston Celtics. League executives and owners are closely watching this sale to establish a benchmark for future expansion fees.
The Celtics’ sale, currently in its first round of bidding, is expected to progress further in early 2025.
However, the process remains slow, as the current ownership group has expressed its intent to stay involved with the team through the conclusion of this season and potentially into the next.
The Celtics’ sale will serve as a financial marker for the league to gauge the valuation of NBA teams and determine appropriate expansion fees.
Until the transaction is finalized, the league’s ability to move forward with domestic expansion remains uncertain.
NBA Expansion Process Slowed By European Expansion, Celtics Sale https://t.co/gpXaTeEIjB
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 30, 2025
