AS Monaco star Mike James isn't a fan of the NBA Europe project, arguing that there's too much uncertainty for it to launch in 2027. He also ironically said that the UK market should be left "untapped" after his experience in the NBA game in London.
AS Monaco star Mike James doesn't believe in the NBA Europe project. At least as of today.
The former Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, and Brooklyn Nets guard argued that there's simply too much uncertainty for NBA Europe to be launched in 2027.
"I don't think it's coming in two years," James said on the URBONUS podcast. "They keep telling me two years. I don't see it. I don't think so. Just my opinion, though. Who's going to play in it?"
He also wasn't a big fan of focusing on the United Kingdom market.
"They said the UK is an untapped market. I was just at an NBA game in the UK. Leave that untapped," James smiled.
The Monaco star argued that even an actual NBA game in London couldn't fill the arena.
"It wasn't full for Ja Morant and Paolo Banchero. It definitely ain't going to be full for Mike James and Kendrick Nunn. You know what I mean? Like, I mean, maybe I'm wrong, though.
"You know what I'm saying? Like, you put a Manchester United jersey on the team, maybe people start coming out. I don't know. But you can't just put a London team in London. They got a team right now. And I don't know their attendance," James said.
Meanwhile, James' teammate in Monaco, Jaron Blossomgame, noted that everything sounded exciting only at the beginning.
"I think in the beginning, like, it had so much momentum," Blossomgame said. "I think the more details came out [the worse it got]. It doesn't make sense anymore. And it sounds like the big clubs in EuroLeague are going to stay in EuroLeague."
"I can't imagine that this thing is going to be very successful without any teams that have rich histories. I mean, you're going to have a bunch of empty gyms," he added.
James agreed with this teammates, arguing that the fans aspect is significant.
"You need fans, man. So the Greek teams got to go. Serbian teams got to go. Turkish teams got to go. The Lithuanian has to be there, for sure. I mean, and if they're not… But then you also need the prestigious club, so you need the Spanish teams too," James said.
James also believes that Real Madrid will eventually remain in the EuroLeague, leaving the NBA Europe without both of the biggest Spanish teams.
"From the reports, Barcelona already signed back, and we just got a new CEO who got ties with Madrid. So if I put my homie in charge of a league, I'm staying in that league. That's my opinion, though. What do I know?
"So it sounds like you're not getting the Spanish teams either from reports. I'm obviously not talking to anybody. So that's like 11 teams that you need to have. And Valencia is, seem like they are staying in the EuroLeague. And I think Valencia is a nice up-and-coming place.
"Their gym is nice. I heard they got an owner that is very involved and wants to give money. Their arena is amazing, like I said. Their team is good. They got a good coach, it seems like. So if you're not getting them, it just seems like where are the teams coming from?" James wondered.
Mike James & Blossomgame Pick Top 3 Title Threats
NBA Europe plans
NBA Europe launch date
NBA Europe's target launch date is October 2027.
"I believe [NBA Europe] will happen, and I have no doubt about it. We need, of course, the approval of the respective two boards of the NBA and the FIBA Central Board," FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said in December.
"I do believe that October 2027 is a realistic target and that it is also an ideal way of closing the curtain in Doha with tremendous confidence about the FIFA Basketball World Cup and moving into a new project that shapes the European Club Basketball landscape in a positive way," he added.
NBA Europe projected format and key markets
NBA plans to establish permanent franchises in Europe's biggest markets – such as the UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France – with two teams in each country before opening the league to the wider basketball ecosystem.
"There's no permanent top-tier team in the top league there in Paris, in Berlin, in Rome," NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum told Sportico. "So, they're missing the biggest commercial markets, which is why they are not able to commercialize basketball.
"Our idea is to create this league – call it 12 to 16 teams – with the biggest countries having permanent franchises. Call it the UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, or France. Two teams in each one of those markets that we know with certainty will have franchises there, and then we'll open it up to the rest of the ecosystem."
The competition would include 12 licensed or permanent teams, with four additional spots available each season through qualification.
NBA Europe Just Got A Reality Check…
Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.