The Euroleague remains open to dialogue with the NBA
The Euroleague has agreed at today’s summit in Italy to move forward with the conversion of its 13 member clubs to franchises and also continue with the process of expanding the number of franchises to expand the competition to 24 new participants. However, the top continental competition has not publicly stated its position regarding the NBA’s offer to organize a joint European league with its NBA Europe project.
However, the Greek media SDNA has revealed that the NBA’s proposal has been rejected, information that MD has been able to confirm. However, behind closed doors the Euroleague remains open to continue dialogue despite the current differences and presumably there will be a meeting between both parties that does not yet have a date.
The Euroleague wants to continue with its expansion of the franchise model despite the fact that the NBA had requested to pause said process while negotiations continue. The differences on this issue are what would have led the Euroleague to say ‘no’ to said offer.
The clubs have shown different points of view. According to SDNA, the Barça shas opposed the proposal like Olympiakos and Olimpia Milano, while real MadridPanathinaikos, Fenerbahçe and Bayern were in favor of continuing with the negotiations, giving the NBA the opportunity to present an offer with better conditions.
The American league plans to launch its European league in October 2027 and plans to start with 16 teams to expand the competition little by little. The NBA wants to start with 12 permanent members plus four more teams that qualify through the Basketball Champions League and domestic leagues.
The permanent members are the franchises that the NBA wants for each of its target cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Milan, London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul.
The American league has made it clear publicly that it will continue with its NBA Europe project. FIBA is a partner of the American league in this project, but the president of FIBA Europe, Jorge Garbajosa, It has already made it clear that the highest body in world basketball is not taking part in the negotiations between both leagues.
If in the end there is no agreement and the NBA and Euroleague, European basketball is heading towards a panorama with two different top-level competitions, as happened in the 2000-2001 season with the Euroleague and the Suproleague of FIBA. The NBA could make a public statement soon on the outcome of this European basketball summit.
