The NBA and FIBA announced on Monday, December 22, that they will begin formally engaging prospective teams and ownership groups in January 2026 as part of plans to create a new professional men’s basketball league in Europe.
In a joint statement, the two organizations confirmed the project will move from exploration to active development, marking the clearest step yet toward a pan-European league backed by the NBA and governed in partnership with FIBA.
The proposed competition would include permanent franchises while also preserving a merit-based pathway, allowing clubs from FIBA-affiliated domestic leagues to qualify annually through the Basketball Champions League or an end-of-season tournament.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis emphasized that the structure is designed to align with existing European sports traditions rather than replace them.
“The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top,” Zagklis said, adding that the project is intended to “improve the sustainability of the entire European basketball ecosystem.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver echoed that sentiment and pointed to extensive dialogue with stakeholders across the continent.
“Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent,” Silver said. “Together with FIBA, we look forward to engaging prospective clubs and ownership groups that share our vision.”
According to NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, franchise bidding is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with a projected league launch in 2027.
Tatum said the initial structure could include 10 to 12 permanent teams, with France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Greece among the targeted markets, per reporting from Sports Business Journal.
Established clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and LDLC ASVEL have been discussed as potential participants.
The league would align its calendar with domestic leagues and national team windows, allowing players to represent both club and country without conflict.
Financially, franchise fees are expected to range from $500 million to $1 billion, with ownership groups required to meet arena and infrastructure standards, while a salary cap is expected to be implemented to promote competitive balance.
NBA Europe President George Aivazoglou said the league would follow a centralized operational model with locally owned teams, similar to the NBA-backed Basketball Africa League.
Additional details on governance, scheduling, and integration with existing European competitions are expected in the coming months.
