The NBA is making progress in its discussions with the EuroLeague over the future of European basketball, with commissioner Adam Silver confirming that further announcements could come in the coming weeks.
Speaking after the NBA Board of Governors meeting in New York, Adam Silver described the planned NBA Europe project as a historic opportunity to build on the continent’s established basketball tradition while creating a new competition featuring a combination of existing and new clubs.
Silver also made clear that negotiations with the EuroLeague are moving forward, adding another significant development to the NBA’s plans for a European competition targeted for the 2027–28 season.
Adam Silver calls NBA Europe a historic opportunity
The NBA commissioner addressed the project while discussing the topics covered during the Board of Governors meeting, where NBA deputy commissioner and COO Mark Tatum provided an update on the ongoing work surrounding NBA Europe.
Silver framed the project as an opportunity to combine the NBA’s approach with the history already established by European basketball and its domestic competitions.
“We discussed potential expansion around Las Vegas and Seattle. Mark Tatum spoke about continued discussions around NBA Europe, which, to me, is a historic opportunity to build on the amazing tradition of European basketball, in the EuroLeague and various domestic leagues, but now bring that to the next level by creating a combination of new and existing clubs in an NBA-style European competition,” Silver said.
Silver directly confirmed that discussions with the EuroLeague are continuing to advance.
“We are continuing to make progress there. We are making progress in discussions with the EuroLeague, and we anticipate that over the next several weeks we will have additional announcements.”
NBA wants to launch next summer
Adam Silver was also asked about the planned 12 permanent franchises and whether potential investors were becoming increasingly impatient as the process continues.
“I’m not sure they are so impatient about next season. If it were up to some of them, we would wait longer to launch. Depending on where we stand with the EuroLeague, I do think it’s important that we introduce the competition into the market next summer.
The initial product will be different from when we have ultimately brought all the teams together and are formally operating the league. We want to get going. There will be announcements coming over the next few months.”
Adam Silver stresses the need to get NBA Europe right
Despite the intention to introduce the competition next summer, Silver stressed that the NBA is dealing with a project involving a significant number of structural decisions.
“Everything takes longer than people outside of the league would like it to take, but these things are very involved, and we truly see it as a once-in-forever opportunity, historic in terms of what this could mean, not just for basketball, but for the European sports landscape, and we want to get it right.”
Among the unresolved issues are the financial and competitive mechanisms that would underpin the new league. Silver specifically pointed to the player salary system, television rights, the division between European-wide and local responsibilities, as well as arena infrastructure.
“So, for us, ensuring that we are thinking about all the different structural issues that come with it, how you approach the salary system among your players, how we aggregate TV rights, what should be done locally, there are plans for multiple new arenas across Europe. I’m pleased with the progress we are making, and the team owners are as well, but this will take some more time. We are ready to firm everything up.”
NBA and EuroLeague could join forces
Silver was also directly asked whether the Board of Governors had discussed a formal proposal for the NBA to become the majority owner of the EuroLeague. He confirmed that the subject of the ongoing negotiations was discussed, although he did not provide details about the structure or terms of any potential agreement.
“Yes, we did discuss ongoing negotiations with the EuroLeague. I believe we are making progress there. We believe the league will be strengthened by joining forces with the EuroLeague. It doesn’t have to happen, but I think we would all be better off as a unified front in Europe.”
