The NBA, EuroLeague, and FIBA held their second official meeting in Geneva on Wednesday, October 8, to discuss the framework of a potential NBA-backed European division that could debut as early as 2027.
According to L’Équipe, the talks centered on establishing a 16-team competition, with 12 permanent members and four rotating spots. NBA Europe President George Aivazoglou confirmed that the earliest launch date remains October 2027, as the three organizations continue to explore a shared roadmap for collaboration.
The Geneva meeting follows the first round of discussions held in May, when representatives from FIBA, NBA Europe, and EuroLeague gathered in Switzerland to explore the framework of the initiative. That initial meeting marked the start of formal coordination between the three governing bodies.
The project, described as the most serious attempt yet to align the NBA and FIBA with European clubs, marks a significant step toward reshaping the continent’s professional basketball structure. Aivazoglou said discussions remain focused on governance, scheduling, and long-term financial models.
Among the clubs reportedly on the shortlist for the proposed league are Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, signaling the inclusion of high-profile sports entities capable of sustaining NBA-level operations.
In France, a group led by U.S.-based EuroStep Ventures is reportedly in talks with representatives of the Metropolitans—successors to Victor Wembanyama’s former team, Boulogne-Levallois—regarding a potential investment tied to the project.
While the tone of the meeting was described as “positive,” several challenges remain unresolved. Chief among them are calendar alignment with FIBA windows, participation fees, and the integration of existing EuroLeague operations into the new format.
The proposed European division would mirror the Basketball Africa League model, combining NBA backing with FIBA’s governance and EuroLeague’s established market. Each franchise would be locally owned but operate under a common business and broadcast framework.
Adam Silver previously described the effort as part of the NBA’s long-term international vision. At a conference in September, the commissioner reiterated that 2027 remains “an ambitious but realistic goal,” with Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum overseeing coordination with European officials.
