MIES, Switzerland (AP) — The NBA and FIBA indicated Thursday that they still hope to merge with the EuroLeague, which rejected an initial offer to join forces this week.
In a joint statement, the NBA and FIBA - who plan to launch a new league in Europe as early as next year - said a “partnership between the EuroLeague, FIBA and the NBA to unify the European basketball ecosystem would unlock the game’s enormous potential across Europe for the benefit of clubs, players and, most importantly, fans."
The NBA and FIBA added they “remain committed” to the new league, which has been planned to launch in the fall of 2027.
It seems likely that merger talks will continue, with Barcelona - a EuroLeague member - saying this week that the door remains open even though the first proposal was rejected. "Should that (merger) proposal be amended in the future, the clubs and the EuroLeague will reconsider it,” the club said.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said multiple times, and as recently as last month, that he believes the new league would benefit from “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,” Silver said at last month's Board of Governors meeting.
The NBA and FIBA formally announced their plans for an NBA Europe venture in March 2025. The new league would have some permanent franchises, with chances for others to qualify based on performance.
Many of the NBA’s top current stars hail from Europe, including San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama (France), Denver’s Nikola Jokic (Serbia), the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic (Slovenia) and Miami’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece).
“For us, in terms of NBA Europe, we truly see it as a once-in-forever opportunity,” Silver said last month. “Historic from our standpoint in terms of what this could mean, not just for basketball but the European sport landscape. And we want to get it right.”
The 20-team EuroLeague is comprised of 13 shareholder clubs immune from relegation. The rest either qualify through their domestic leagues or through invitation. The NBA, in partnership with FIBA, has said it envisions a 16-team league.
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