The National Basketball Association is turning its attention to Europe as it maps out the next phase of global growth. In a move that could reshape the continent’s basketball landscape, The NBA is exploring partnerships with ownership groups for a possible European basketball league, signaling serious intent to establish a long-term presence overseas.
Earlier this week, the league confirmed it will jointly explore the creation of a new professional men’s basketball league in Europe alongside International Basketball Federation, commonly known as FIBA. As part of the initiative, the NBA plans to begin formal discussions with prospective teams and ownership groups starting in January.
Billion-Dollar Franchises and Strong Investor Appetite
According to people familiar with the discussions, franchise valuations could climb to around $1 billion, underscoring the scale of ambition behind the project. Speaking at the NBA Cup in Las Vegas last week, Commissioner Adam Silver revealed that advisors from JPMorgan and The Raine Group have been actively meeting with potential European investors.
Interest appears robust. Bankers have reportedly held talks with more than 70 investor groups over the past year and a half. The current plan is to solicit nonbinding bids next month, with a formal vote on whether to green-light the league expected at the NBA’s board of governors meeting in March.
Who Could Own Teams?
The NBA is keeping its options open when it comes to ownership. Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum has previously said the league is considering a broad mix of investors, including sovereign wealth funds. Existing European soccer club owners are also part of the conversation, reflecting a strategy to tap into experienced sports operators already embedded in major markets.
The idea of a European league is not new. The NBA first announced it was studying the concept last March, but momentum has clearly accelerated since then.
“Our conversations with stakeholders across Europe have only strengthened our belief that there is a massive opportunity to create something special,” Silver said in a statement. He added that the NBA and FIBA are eager to work with clubs and ownership groups that share a common vision for the sport’s future on the continent.
Building the Ecosystem, Not Just a League
Beyond launching a new competition, the NBA says it plans to invest directly in European basketball’s broader ecosystem. That includes financial backing for domestic leagues and expanded development programs under FIBA, aimed at nurturing coaches, players, and referees.
Europe represents a huge growth opportunity. The NBA estimates there are roughly 270 million potential basketball fans across the region, describing it as a largely untapped market. This season alone, opening night rosters featured 71 European-born players. Some of the league’s brightest stars — Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, and Luka Dončić — are all European.
The NBA also notes that basketball is now the fastest-growing sport in Europe and ranks second only to soccer overall. Timing appears favorable, with last season marking the league’s most-watched year ever across social and digital platforms.
Cities in Focus and What Comes Next
Internally, the NBA believes the European basketball market is undervalued and lacks teams in several marquee cities. Potential host cities under consideration include Berlin, Paris, Rome, and London, with additional interest in Spain, Turkey, and Greece. By contrast, reports suggest that roughly two-thirds of teams in the existing EuroLeague currently operate at a loss.
If the project moves ahead, fans could see exhibition games in Europe as an early step. Longer term, the NBA has even floated the idea of NBA teams facing European clubs in special cup-style tournaments or all-star events.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis welcomed the announcement, calling it a positive development for the sport across Europe and emphasizing its potential to improve long-term sustainability for clubs, leagues, and national federations alike.
The NBA points to its experience abroad as a confidence booster. Its African league, also launched in partnership with FIBA, has just completed its fifth season and continues to grow in attendance, merchandise sales, and social engagement — a blueprint the league hopes to replicate in Europe.
