Despite rumors swirling around NBA expansion, the league’s immediate focus remains on a different initiative: launching a professional basketball league in Europe.
NBA insider Brian Windhorst confirmed that cities like Las Vegas and Seattle are currently not on the table for expansion. Instead, the league is prioritizing its European venture, aiming to integrate the NBA’s business model with the rich basketball tradition of Europe.
“This is not putting NBA teams in Europe. This would be creating a league that is run by the NBA in Europe,” Windhorst explained. “Las Vegas and Seattle is still not on the table. They’re more focused on creating a league in Europe than expanding,” he added.
This European initiative, which involves both the NBA and FIBA, is gaining traction. The two organizations are in advanced discussions to form a league that blends top European clubs with NBA influence. Plans include allowing teams to participate in their national leagues while also competing in this newly envisioned competition.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis have both expressed enthusiasm for the potential of this European league. They see it as a way to combine the NBA’s business expertise with FIBA’s international reach, capitalizing on Europe’s deep basketball roots. This partnership could open up new opportunities for fans and teams alike, offering additional platforms for players to showcase their talent.
“This partnership is a natural step to expand the global reach of basketball,” Silver said. “We want to build on Europe’s rich tradition and bring the sport to more fans around the world.”
Though specifics about the league’s format and team participation are still being discussed, the NBA’s emphasis on Europe over domestic U.S. expansion remains clear. The league has set its sights on creating a competitive environment that allows teams to qualify through merit-based pathways, strengthening both domestic leagues and the international basketball ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the NBA’s expansion goals remain tied to Europe’s emerging basketball market. The league’s ventures into Africa, such as the Basketball Africa League (BAL), have proven successful, and Europe is now the next frontier. The region has already produced NBA stars like Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić, which makes it a fertile ground for future NBA talent.
“We see a significant untapped potential in European basketball, and we’re excited to be part of that growth,” Zagklis added.
The new league could feature a combination of permanent franchises and teams that qualify annually through FIBA tournaments. Cities like Paris, London, and Berlin are already in consideration for franchise spots. In fact, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a French football powerhouse, has expressed interest in joining the NBA-backed league.
PSG’s potential involvement could signal a major shift in European basketball. The club is reportedly in talks with NBA executives about acquiring a franchise, either by purchasing an existing team like Paris Basketball or forming a new one entirely. The growth of the French club’s basketball budget, which has increased by over 100% in recent years, is fueling speculation that this project could become a reality.
Other major EuroLeague clubs, such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Fenerbahce and ASVEL, have also been identified as potential candidates to join the new league. While no official agreements have been made, the growing momentum suggests that the NBA’s vision for a European competition is well underway.
As the NBA moves closer to realizing its European league ambitions, it remains committed to improving the continent’s basketball infrastructure. This includes investing in youth development, training programs for coaches and referees, and expanding club academies.
For the NBA, this project aligns with its broader strategy of global growth. The European league could potentially generate billions in annual revenue, capitalizing on the growing interest in basketball across Europe and the Middle East. If successful, this initiative would reshape the global basketball landscape, fostering international competition while strengthening the NBA’s global presence.
As for Las Vegas and Seattle, those cities will have to wait. NBA expansion into North America is not in the immediate future, with the league focused on establishing a strong foothold in Europe first.
