The NBA and EuroLeague are set to hold talks this week to explore collaboration on the future of European basketball, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic reported. EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno will meet with NBA executives, including George Aivazoglou, as both sides consider ways to work together amid the NBA’s push to launch a European league.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicated openness to multiple scenarios, including a merger or equity participation in the EuroLeague. He emphasized that any arrangement must make sense both commercially and competitively, leaving options on the table while signaling a willingness to cooperate.
The discussions follow a major wave of interest in the NBA’s proposed European league. Non-binding proposals were submitted before the April deadline, with several offers exceeding $1 billion and others meeting the projected $500 million entry fee. More than 120 investors expressed interest across 12 cities, including London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, and Berlin.
Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum described the response as “reflecting the marketplace’s belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball.” He added that the league will now review bids and shortlist partners aligned with its vision for the continent.
Some established EuroLeague clubs reportedly submitted bids, although full entry fees would still apply with no guaranteed participation. High-profile investment groups include Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund targeting London, Qatar Sports Investments for Paris, and RedBird Capital for Milan.
Bueno stressed the importance of coordination with existing European structures, including FIBA and domestic leagues. He urged clubs to engage openly with the NBA and investors to explore mergers or partnerships that strengthen Europe’s basketball ecosystem rather than fragment it.
The NBA’s European league is projected to feature 16 teams with a planned launch in October 2027. Stakeholders on both sides are expected to carefully weigh business, competitive, and developmental factors as talks move forward.
