NBA commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed talks with Manchester City and Manchester United about the proposed NBA Europe league, though neither club is expected to join. Silver also spoke with top basketball clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, as he looks to mix established teams with new franchises in the continent-wide league.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed that he has spoken to Manchester City and Manchester United about the proposed NBA Europe league, though BBC Sport reports that neither club intends to field a team should the venture come to fruition.
The discussions are part of the NBA's plan to launch a permanent European basketball league, potentially starting as early as the 2027-28 season.
The league, currently called NBA Europe, could feature up to 16 teams, mixing new franchises with established basketball clubs and football teams that may or may not have existing basketball operations.
Silver also confirmed that he has spoken to top European basketball clubs, including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, as he looks to mix established teams with new ones. He has also talked to the Paris Saint-Germain football club.
Credit AP - Scanpix
The goal is to create a strong league that combines Europe's basketball tradition with fresh franchises to grow the sport across the continent.
"We're having conversations with everyone, and it's part of why this process has gone on so long," Silver told BBC Sport. "I began speaking publicly around the Paris Olympics, and we wanted to make sure we've covered everybody. We've talked to all interested parties, we're covering all areas and all opportunities."
Silver emphasized that NBA Europe aims to respect European sports culture while tapping into the passion of football fans.
NBA Europe Just Got A Reality Check…
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