NBA, FIBA plan new Europe-based pro basketball league

NEW YORK — The NBA on Monday announced it is officially moving forward with plans to establish a new professional men’s basketball league in Europe in partnership with FIBA, marking a potentially historic expansion for the sport on the continent.

The proposed league will feature a mix of permanent franchises and additional teams that can qualify annually through existing competitions such as the Basketball Champions League or a year-end qualifying tournament. The goal, according to the NBA, is to build a league that complements domestic and international schedules to allow players to honor all commitments throughout the season.

“Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Together with FIBA, we look forward to engaging prospective clubs and ownership groups that share our vision for the game’s potential in Europe.”

CNBC reported that valuations for permanent teams in the new league could exceed USD 1 billion, citing sources familiar with the process. JPMorgan and the Raine Group have reportedly spoken with more than 70 potential investors in recent months.

The NBA and FIBA first revealed in March their joint intention to explore creating a pan-European league. Monday’s announcement confirms they will now actively seek teams and owners, while also committing resources to grow basketball across the continent—from elite pro levels to youth academies and grassroots initiatives.

“Advancing further this joint NBA–FIBA project is great news for the European basketball community,” said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. “The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top.”

Zagklis added that the new project is designed to strengthen the sustainability of the European basketball ecosystem, including players, clubs, domestic leagues and national federations, through what he described as a “knock-on effect that will strongly benefit basketball fans throughout Europe.”

The NBA said more updates are expected in the coming months. According to CNBC, the league is preparing to accept nonbinding bids for ownership stakes in January and will seek approval from its board of governors in March.