The NBA defends that its European league will start in 2027 and will generate much more money than the Euroleague
The NBA and the Euroleague continue negotiating to create a joint top-level European league but, while that agreement is reached – if it arrives – both are gaining strength with their projects for European basketball.
The Euroleague rejected the American league’s proposal two weeks ago and on Friday announced its business model for the next decade, but the NBA has responded today by also projecting an image of strength and conviction.
In the words of its Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum, the American league remains firm in its idea of launching NBA Europe in October 2027 – whether together with the Euroleague or not – and defends that its business model will distribute three times as much money to the clubs as the Euroleague model.
The top continental competition plans to generate 3.4 billion euros to be distributed among its owner clubs in the next decade with its plan, while the NBA plans to distribute 9,000 in the same period of time.
“The goal remains October 2027. We plan to begin deploying this project in 12 months, we believe that is a realistic time frame,” Tatum said. The executive spoke on the occasion of the start of the new NBA season – which starts with a Pistons-Celtics at 3:00 p.m. – and he did so in a virtual appearance before media from around the world, including MD.
“This is not just about one season. This is launching a new league, reimagining the entire ecosystem of European basketball built on that foundation of a merit-based model that gives every club and every fan in Europe the right to dream. Therefore, this is a historic moment and we are going to take the time we need to get it right. But we hope to start announcing the teams as soon as we close the agreements,” added the NBA Deputy Commissioner.
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