Major investors are moving quickly to join NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s planned European league, with bids expected by March 31, Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported. Qatar Sports Investments, which owns Paris Saint-Germain, is preparing a bid for a Paris-based team, while RedBird Capital, owner of AC Milan, will pursue a Milan franchise, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, owner of Newcastle United, aims for a London team.
NBA Europe is targeting a 2027 launch, with Silver seeking to establish 12 permanent franchises across major European cities including London, Paris, Milan, Rome, Munich, Barcelona, Madrid, Manchester, Athens, and Istanbul. The league has also outlined four at-large bids for clubs earning access on merit.
Each of the high-profile bids is expected to operate independently, with investors planning to build new arenas in their respective cities. RedBird Capital has secured land in Milan for a basketball venue alongside its ongoing soccer stadium project, while Saudi Arabia’s fund and Qatar Sports Investments are exploring prime locations in London and Paris.
Over 100 potential investors have been granted access to the NBA’s virtual data room, giving insight into financial expectations, operational structures, and revenue projections. Team licenses are projected to range from $500 million to over $1 billion, depending on market size, with London expected to command the highest fee.
The NBA anticipates significant commercial returns from Europe, including media rights and sponsorship opportunities, which could offset domestic expansion costs. Investors are motivated by the region’s 300 million basketball fans and the fact that roughly 15% of current NBA players are European.
Silver has emphasized flexibility in investment structures, allowing sovereign wealth funds, private equity groups, and traditional sports investors to participate.
European clubs including Alba Berlin and ASVEL have expressed interest, though it is unclear whether they will partner with additional investors. NBA Europe will feature permanent franchises while maintaining merit-based access through competitions like the Basketball Champions League, ensuring alignment with European sports culture.
The NBA Board of Governors will receive an update on NBA Europe at their March 25 meeting, though no votes will be taken until license submissions are finalized. The process will shape the league’s structure, investment landscape, and potential impact on the global basketball market ahead of its planned 2027 debut.
