EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno says the league has yet to receive a formal proposal from the NBA despite continued discussions about the future of professional basketball in Europe.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed this week that communication between the two organizations remains active. However, Bueno stressed that EuroLeague has not been presented with specific terms for a partnership or other arrangement.
“As of today, we have not received anything from the NBA about what a potential partnership or collaboration could look like,” said Bueno in an email to The Athletic. “If an offer or a concrete proposal comes from the NBA, we would evaluate it carefully and, as appropriate, present it to our owners.”
One potential obstacle is control of a future competition. Silver has previously indicated that the NBA would expect to operate any league in which it participates, an issue that also created difficulties in earlier negotiations with EuroLeague leadership.
Meanwhile, the NBA is moving ahead with plans for its own European competition alongside FIBA. The proposed 16-team league would include 12 permanent members and target major markets such as London, Paris and Berlin.
Groups connected to AC Milan, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest in ownership opportunities.
“Depending on where we stand with the EuroLeague, I do think it’s important that we introduce competition into the market next summer,” said Silver. “For us, in terms of NBA Europe, we truly see it as a once-in-forever opportunity.”
EuroLeague is developing its own plans at the same time. The competition is working toward a permanent franchise structure and eventually expanding to 24 teams, with Napoli already approved as a future addition.
According to Bueno, EuroLeague has received binding expansion proposals worth approximately $918.2 million in total. Those bids are expected to be presented to the league’s owners on Oct. 6.
“For now, our franchise and expansion plan is moving forward in parallel with the dialogue we are having with the NBA,” said Bueno. “We are not yet at a stage where we need to determine how our plans could interact with a potential collaboration.”
