FIBA, Adam Silver discussing NBA-owned league in Europe
FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis says he and his staff remain in "serious conversation" with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and his office about starting an NBA-owned league in Europe, according to The Athletic's Joe Vardon.
An NBA-owned league would be direct competition for the EuroLeague and other top pro leagues in individual European countries.
Silver has previously mentioned the NBA's desire to expand into Europe, and Zagklis says the NBA has a "clear interest" in the expansion. FIBA also remains in discussions with the company operating the EuroLeague.
"We tried to bring everyone together," Zagklis said. "This was not possible. So our job is to continue having serious conversations with our partners at the NBA."
Zagklis added: "We want the growth of our sport, but at the same time we want to protect what are the fundamentals of our ecosystem. We have a very well-developed ecosystem of national leagues and certainly (want to) protect the work not only of a few clubs but of almost 500 or 600 clubs that are the pyramid that produces players and that has brought the sport of basketball where it is today."
The EuroLeague consists of 18 teams, including 13 permanent members and five that must qualify. The permanent members are given long-term licenses and are shareholders in the league. However, their current licenses expire following the 2025-26 season, and those clubs have yet to sign agreements to remain with the league.
Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul are among the shareholder teams with academy systems being studied by the NBA. Silver has previously said European clubs have developed youth training programs that better prepare young athletes to play professionally than the current AAU system in the U.S.
Silver will be present in Europe next month when the NBA holds two games in Paris between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers.