NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has signaled growing interest in expanding the league’s commercial footprint in Europe through a new professional competition.
Speaking on the Club 520 Podcast, Silver acknowledged that while European basketball talent has flourished, the sport’s commercial performance on the continent remains below expectations.
He confirmed that the NBA is exploring the possibility of helping launch a Europe-based league that would build on the NBA brand but operate separately from existing franchises.
The idea, while not formally labeled as expansion, is being viewed as a potential long-term opportunity for global growth.
“There’s incredible basketball being played in Europe,” Silver said, citing the recent dominance of European MVPs and strong Olympic attendance in Paris.
According to the commissioner, the level of interest in basketball across major European markets suggests untapped revenue potential.
Silver’s comments follow a major summit this week in Geneva, where top officials from FIBA, the NBA, EuroLeague clubs, and marketing firm IMG met to discuss a joint initiative.
Reportedly, the meeting was the most comprehensive dialogue yet between the involved parties, with every EuroLeague A-license club in attendance except CSKA Moscow.
The proposed league would launch as early as the 2026–27 season and blend permanent teams with qualifiers, mirroring models used in the Basketball Africa League.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, NBA Europe and Middle East Managing Director George Aivazoglou, and FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa participated in the talks.
Discussion topics included calendar conflicts, national team windows, and international player regulations—key logistical hurdles for a continent-wide league.
Although discussions were described as positive, resistance emerged from some EuroLeague clubs regarding a proposed participation fee.
The EuroLeague, Europe’s current top-tier competition, has long resisted structural changes that involve external oversight.
Still, the NBA’s proven success with global ventures and FIBA’s push for calendar alignment could provide the momentum needed to overcome longstanding barriers.
Silver emphasized that basketball was “the hottest sport” at last summer’s Paris Olympics and said sellouts were not limited to games featuring the U.S. national team.
