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Hall of Fame center Pau Gasol is emerging as a potential key figure in the NBA’s plans to launch a new European-based league, according to reporting from Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

Former NBA champion is being evaluated for what has been described as a “prominent role” in the project, which is currently operating under the tentative name NBA Europe.

Gasol took part in a high-level meeting held Monday in London and hosted by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, where the league outlined its vision for expanding its footprint across Europe.

Retired All-Star center was one of the featured voices at the gathering, offering insight shaped by his experience as both an NBA champion and a global ambassador for the sport.

“This is a very unique opportunity,” Gasol told the crowd. “It’s all about learning from each other. It’s all about creating this new venture together. Yes, we’re talking about (the) league, but this goes far beyond. It is about the ecosystem, it’s about the grassroots, it’s about the domestic leagues and it’s about the impact on the children. … There’s so much at stake, and that’s why I think this is so important and so impactful, and why I’m so excited to be a part of it too.”

The meeting drew a wide range of influential stakeholders from across the sports landscape.

According to Vardon, representatives from multiple EuroLeague clubs were in attendance, along with executives from major soccer organizations that currently do not operate basketball teams.

Numerous potential sponsors and investors were also present, signaling strong early interest in the league’s long-term commercial and developmental vision.

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