Former EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas expressed doubt about the NBA Europe project's 2027 launch, citing major challenges in building teams and arenas, and stressed that EuroLeague and NBA standards are "radically different."
The NBA Europe project is gradually taking shape under the leadership of Adam Silver. The new league could launch as early as 2027, starting with 12 permanent clubs and 16 teams in total.
It remains unclear whether the EuroLeague – now led by new CEO Chus Bueno – will join forces with the NBA and FIBA in this new venture.
So far, 10 of the 13 EuroLeague shareholder clubs have verbally or officially committed to extending their A licenses for another 10 years.
In other words, the majority of long-term stakeholders have expressed their intention to stick with the current EuroLeague model.
However, three clubs – Fenerbahce, Real Madrid, and ASVEL – have yet to make any formal commitments.
According to former EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas, the lack of clarity from those clubs is creating instability.
"European basketball is going through a transformation with a major threat – the arrival of the NBA," Motiejunas told LRT. "There is a lot of talk about this new league and about how everything could change dramatically. Several clubs have not extended their licenses yet, and that creates instability in European basketball."
The remaining clubs are expected to submit their decisions by July.
"By then, there should be more clarity about who will play in the EuroLeague next season – how many teams there will be, which teams, and what the future holds."
Credit Rodolfo Molina/EuroLeague via Getty Images
The 44-year-old executive stressed that he is not categorically opposed to the NBA entering the European market. However, he believes cooperation is the only viable path forward.
"If a new league is created, it should happen through mergers and cooperation – not by building something separate from scratch," Motiejunas said. "We've said that from the beginning.
"It's better to move forward together rather than divide," the Lithuanian added. "Splitting the ecosystem won't help basketball grow, and it won't help fans watch the best games Europe currently has to offer."
When asked whether he truly believes the NBA will integrate into European basketball, Motiejunas admitted he expects the NBA Europe project to materialize – though he questions its vision.
"Based on the way they speak, I think the NBA will come to Europe. But we see business very differently," he noted. "I don't see the logic behind some of it. Time will tell, but when you talk to them, they sound 100 percent certain it will happen.
"The involvement of investment funds, for example, seems illogical to me, and the business plan presented doesn't appear fully suitable. Of course, they can adapt, they can adjust, and everyone else will have to adapt as well. We'll see how it goes."
Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS
Still, Motiejunas doubts the league will launch on schedule.
"They're talking about 2027. They set that timeline themselves, so now it's in their hands. If you ask me, I don't think it's very realistic," Motiejunas said. "Creating at least six new teams from scratch isn't easy.
"Building arenas is even harder," he continued. "Not all the cities they are targeting even have suitable venues. There are many obstacles. But when they speak, they are very confident that everything will work out.
"Maybe they know something we don't – even though we've been developing basketball here for 26 years. Maybe they'll pull a rabbit out of a hat and surprise us. That uncertainty is exactly what creates doubt. Our standards and theirs are radically different."
NBA Europe Just Got A Reality Check…
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