FIBA Europe executive director Kamil Novak has disclosed that EuroLeague initially requested the NBA’s involvement in discussions about the future of European basketball.
Speaking to BasketNews, Novak reflected on previous negotiations between FIBA and EuroLeague, revealing that the organizations had come close to reaching an agreement several years ago.
“Sometimes we were very close to an agreement,” Novak stated.
According to Novak, EuroLeague sought the NBA’s participation in early 2024, initially with the intention of receiving support for its commercial operations.
“I remember 2-3 years ago we were very close. By the way, the NBA was invited to the talks upon the request of EuroLeague,” he added. “At the beginning of 2024, EuroLeague expressed its wish to have the NBA at the table to support its commercial activities somehow.
“It’s just a fact. And trying to put a very complex situation into one sentence, I would summarize it as this: we want to create an ecosystem that allows every club in Europe to grow. Step by step, they have to deserve it, but they need to feel that if they do the right thing, the correct decisions, they can grow.”
The NBA has since partnered with FIBA to develop NBA Europe, a proposed 16-team competition featuring 12 permanent licenses and four annual qualification places.
FIBA officials remain open to reaching an agreement with EuroLeague despite developing a separate competition with the NBA.
