Although Paulius Motiejunas has made it clear he is not pleased with the NBA’s idea of launching a new European league, the EuroLeague CEO also indicated he isn’t particularly concerned about the proposal.
Speaking with Ken Maguire of The Associated Press, the EuroLeague chief suggested that much of what has been discussed so far remains theoretical rather than concrete.
“We’ve only heard the plan or the fireworks of how amazing it will be, how much potential there is,” Motiejunas said. “But having a theory is one – and making it work is two. We’ve been here for 26 years. We know how Europe functions.”
The league executive also pushed back against the notion that the NBA’s plans pose an immediate threat to the established European basketball structure.
He expressed confidence that Real Madrid, Fenerbahce and ASVEL – the three EuroLeague shareholder clubs that have not yet renewed their licenses – will ultimately continue their involvement with the league.
“The NBA has been announcing and announcing things for a year but still it’s nothing that you can grasp on,” Motiejunas said.
“As businessmen, these are team owners, they also begin to see it’s a little bit of a broken record of ‘we will announce later,’ … The ’27 start is already around the corner.”
And-Ones: Maxey, Milton, Joseph, Motiejunas https://t.co/A7O11UjZIq pic.twitter.com/SWjuCDkSYi
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 20, 2026
