Okay, so get this: NBA Europe’s big splashy merger with the EuroLeague? Not happening. At least not on the NBA’s first terms. EuroLeague shareholders just unanimously shot down Adam Silver’s initial proposal, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and others. Ouch.
The Deal They Didn’t Like
This rejection was apparently “expected” by some, but it’s still a huge snag for Silver’s vision. One source told The Athletic that while there’s a “willingness to negotiate,” the EuroLeague owners flat out “didn’t like the terms.” It wasn’t just a few anti-NBA Europe clubs, a “bulk of the clubs” just weren’t feeling the proposal. This isn’t just a minor tweak, this is a fundamental disagreement on the foundational terms. Those same stakeholders also put planned EuroLeague expansion on hold, which was something the NBA requested, so the door isn’t completely slammed shut.
NBA’s Ambitious Vision Hits a Wall
Silver has been crystal clear: the NBA plans to launch NBA Europe in the fall of 2027. This isn’t just some side project, either. NBA owners reportedly see it as “free money” and it’s been a major priority. The NBA’s plan was massive: 12 permanent teams, four open spots where teams could play their way in via domestic leagues and tournaments. We’re talking franchise fees in the $500 million to $1 billion range for each of those 12 permanent spots! The EuroLeague has 13 permanent members, and some of them were even thinking about jumping ship to NBA Europe.
Silver himself said after last month’s Board of Governors meeting, “We believe that [NBA Europe] would be strengthened by joining forces with the EuroLeague. It doesn’t have to happen, but I think we all would be better off as a unified front in Europe.” Well, that “unified front” isn’t happening on *these* terms. Reports say a launch for Silver’s new league by October 2027 would be “impossible” without some kind of merger with the EuroLeague. Talk about high stakes.
What’s Next for European Basketball
The NBA already picked out its target markets for those dozen permanent teams: Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, London, Berlin, Athens, and more. Interesting fact: not all of those cities even have major EuroLeague basketball powers right now, like London and Manchester. For those, the NBA was looking at basically building up new or smaller local teams, maybe even tying them to big soccer clubs in the area. The NBA is already looking at bids for these teams. Silver called NBA Europe a “once-in-forever opportunity,” something “historic” for basketball and the entire European sport landscape. He wants to “get it right.” Now, getting it right means going back to the table with the EuroLeague to hammer out a deal that actually makes more financial sense for them.
In the short term, the NBA is still putting boots on the ground, literally. We’ll see two regular-season games in Europe this season. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are facing the New Orleans Pelicans in Paris on January 14, and then they’ll play again in Manchester, England, on January 17. That Manchester game? First-ever NBA game there. So, the NBA is definitely pushing into Europe, but the grand merger plan just got a serious gut punch. Silver’s got some negotiating to do.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply