Adam Silver Holds Discussions with Potential Financers of the European League

Adam Silver Holds Discussions with Potential Financers of the European League

The NBA is making significant strides towards the launch of a European basketball league, with the potential for the competition to commence as early as the 2026–27 season. This new league, which is expected to be backed by both the NBA and FIBA, is set to feature 16 teams from key European cities.

The league is currently taking shape, with 8 to 12 permanent, non-relegated teams planned for cities such as London, Manchester, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Berlin, Istanbul, and Athens. The competition will operate independently but with strong NBA integration, offering guaranteed league spots, voting rights, improved TV distribution, and sponsorships.

Investor discussions for the European league involve major private equity firms like KKR, CVC Capital Partners, and RedBird Capital Partners, as well as governmental stakeholders and European sports clubs. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum have been meeting extensively with European governments, clubs, and potential investors to solidify the plans.

The NBA has also been increasing its footprint in Europe by scheduling regular season games in European cities over the next few years. This includes games in Berlin, London, Manchester, and Paris from 2026 through 2028, helping to build local fan engagement and prepare for the league launch.

The NBA has started an exploratory process with FIBA to integrate or align the new European league within the global basketball ecosystem. However, this move has raised concerns from the EuroLeague CEO about potential confusion and competition between the NBA's planned league and the longstanding EuroLeague.

The new league will use FIBA rules rather than NBA rules, and EuroLeague teams, if offered places in the new league, may not need to abandon their existing competitions to participate. The specifics of any potential restrictions in the European league remain unclear at this time.

The launch of the European league has not been officially confirmed yet, but it is estimated to be at least a couple of years away from launching. The timeline for the launch was mentioned by Adam Silver during the 2025 NBA Finals. NBA owners are likely to share in joint ownership of the league but not directly own individual franchises, according to previous reports.

The new European basketball league may offer attractive investment opportunities for private equity and sovereign wealth funds. As the plans for the league continue to develop, we can expect more updates and clarifications in the coming months. Stay tuned for further developments in this exciting new venture!

[1] Sporticast 471 [2] EuroLeague CEO expresses concerns [3] NBA Europe project moves into active planning and partnership development [4] NBA to host regular season games in Europe (2026–2028) [5] Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic to play regular-season games in Berlin and London (2026)

1. The European basketball league, planned to launch as early as the 2026–27 season, is attracting the attention of private equity firms like KKR, CVC Capital Partners, and RedBird Capital Partners, making it an intriguing investment opportunity for these companies.
2. As part of the NBA's move into active planning and partnership development for the European league, Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum have been meeting with European governments, clubs, and potential private equity investors to solidify the plans.
3. In addition to the European league, the NBA is also increasing its footing in Europe by scheduling regular season games in cities such as Berlin and London from 2026 through 2028, demonstrating a significant interest in investing in the growth of basketball in Europe.

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