A European basketball league backed by both the NBA and FIBA has taken a significant step forward, with league officials confirming strong early interest from across the continent.
NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum revealed that the proposed competition has already attracted substantial attention from potential stakeholders.
“We have received significant interest from a range of prospective teams and investors for permanent franchise spots in a new league in Europe backed by the NBA and FIBA,” he said. “The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace’s belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball,” he added.
“We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent,” he concluded.
12 Teams Across Europe Set for 2027 Debut
In a separate report, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed that the European league is expected to launch with 12 teams, with tipoff targeted for October 2027.
With overwhelming support from the NBA’s board of governors, the league has been “soliciting interest” from “over a hundred organizations,” with Commissioner Silver noting that “there has been enormous enthusiasm” surrounding the ambitious project.
Among the 12 expected teams, London, Paris, and Rome are considered frontrunners as host cities, while Spain, Germany, Greece, and Turkey are also being explored as potential locations.
Another Path Toward the “Biggest Basketball Dream”
With the NBA offering only 450+ roster spots, the creation of a new European league presents another pathway for aspiring players chasing what many consider their “biggest basketball dream.”
Given that FIBA competitions typically run for only a month and the NBA continues to see a rise in international talent, this new European league could provide both players and fans with an expanded platform—and elevate the global game to another level of entertainment in the near future.
