New European basketball league could launch in 2027 or ‘28, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says
NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 A new basketball league based in Europe that the NBA and FIBA are working together to launch could begin play in 2027 or 鈥28, though no timeline has been finalized, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday.
By Stephen Whyno And Tim Reynolds The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 A new basketball league based in Europe that the NBA and FIBA are working together to launch could begin play in 2027 or 鈥28, though no timeline has been finalized, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday.
Speaking at a conference hosted by Front Office Sports, Silver called a 2027 start 鈥渁mbitious, no doubt about it鈥 given the issues that still need to be addressed but did not rule out that possibility. He reiterated previous comments that the timeline could be two to three years, pointing out that existing arenas across Europe could be used at the beginning until more modern infrastructure is built up.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I鈥檇 want to go much longer than 鈥28,鈥 Silver said. 鈥淭he opportunity is now to do something like this.鈥
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Silver earlier this year said getting the league off the ground closer to the might make more sense.
The NBA and FIBA, the sport鈥檚 global governing body, to pursue a new European league 鈥 ending years of speculation about when or if such a move would happen. The process has been moving rapidly and a substantial move was made last month with the NBA brought on JPMorgan Chase and Raine Group to advise on finances and strategy going forward.
Silver said he and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum had positive meetings with political leaders, teams, media companies, possible investors and other stakeholders across Europe, while work continues in the league office to make the project happen.
鈥淚 would say I鈥檓 enthusiastic about it,鈥 Silver said.
Early plans call for the new league to have 16 teams, though that number could change. Existing European clubs like Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Istanbul and Barcelona are likely to figure into the NBA鈥檚 plans for the new league, along with other top soccer brands like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
About one in every six current NBA players is European, including Denver鈥檚 Nikola Jokic from Serbia and Milwaukee鈥檚 Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece 鈥 who have combined for five of the last seven MVP awards 鈥 along with the Los Angeles Lakers鈥 Luka Doncic from Slovenia and San Antonio鈥檚 Victor Wembanyama from France.
鈥淏asketball鈥檚 probably the fastest-growing sport in the world right now, and it鈥檚 a huge No. 2 sport in Europe behind soccer, so I think there鈥檚 a real opportunity,” Silver said.
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