The future of professional basketball in Europe took a step forward this week as the newly licensed Great Britain Basketball League (GBBL) announced plans to begin play in September 2027, aligning with the anticipated launch of NBA Europe.
In a statement to the Yorkshire Post, GBBL confirmed that its schedule was designed to coincide with the first season of the NBA-backed league (h/t Eurohoops). The announcement also referenced two NBA Europe teams expected to be based in London and Manchester, marking the first direct acknowledgment of markets tied to the project.
“GBB League Ltd. (GBBL) will launch the first season of its new British basketball league in September 2027, coinciding with the anticipated first season of NBA Europe,” the statement read. The group also emphasized its intent to build an elite academy for young talent to support the Great Britain National Team.
The development adds clarity to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s recent remarks at a Front Office Sports conference, where he confirmed that Europe’s league could tip off in either 2027 or 2028. Silver described 2027 as “ambitious” but stressed that discussions with stakeholders across Europe have been positive.
Silver said both he and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum have met with political leaders, investors, and media partners in preparation for the launch. He pointed to strong global demand for basketball, citing sold-out Olympic arenas and the rise of European MVPs as proof of the market’s growth.
The proposed NBA Europe structure envisions 16 teams, though that number could change. The format is expected to follow a model similar to the Basketball Africa League, combining permanent franchises with qualifying clubs.
While the announcement creates excitement, it also intensifies tensions in British basketball. The GBBL, led by former EuroLeague executive Marshall Glickman, enters the landscape amid legal battles. The existing Super Basketball League (SBL) has already challenged the federation’s licensing decision, forcing FIBA to form a task force.
The timing is significant. EuroLeague’s current deal with IMG expires in 2026, and several teams have not yet committed to new long-term agreements. That uncertainty provides the NBA with an opening to expand its footprint on the continent.
Silver has emphasized that the European project is not a substitute for U.S.-based expansion. “There is no new news on domestic growth,” he said, framing NBA Europe as a commercial and competitive opportunity rather than a replacement for future franchises in America.
The GBBL’s statement marks the first concrete tie between Britain’s new league and the NBA Europe initiative. With London and Manchester highlighted as inaugural markets, the path toward a 2027 launch appears clearer, even as logistical and legal challenges remain.
