By the end of March, the EuroLeague plans to review the NBA's proposal, potentially paving the way for a joint NBA-Europe competition if both sides agree: "If they raise the money, the most logical path would be a joint competition."
Adam Silver and FIBA leaders are working on a new NBA-backed competition called NBA Europe. So far, the EuroLeague has not been formally involved, though that could change in the future.
Recently, the EuroLeague appointed a new CEO, Chus Bueno, a former NBA executive.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum said during the 2026 All-Star Weekend that he hopes Bueno can act as a "bridge between us, FIBA, and the EuroLeague clubs" as the NBA expands in Europe.
Bueno now points to the end of March as a crucial moment for a potential NBA-EuroLeague partnership.
"As you know, I have a very good relationship with the NBA and many of its executives, including Adam Silver and Mark Tatum. They've opened what's called a 'data room,' a collection of files explaining the project to the people they want to involve," Bueno told Jose Ignacio Huguet of Mundo Deportivo. "This process ends on the 26th or 27th, after which we'll present conclusions to their Board of Governors.
"For now, we need to be respectful, wait, and see how the market responds to their proposal and what they believe the project is worth. We agreed with the NBA that once this process is over, we would sit down together.
"As they've said themselves, they'd be delighted to discuss the matter with the EuroLeague and see if we can find common ground and reach an agreement."
So, what might happen next?
"There are two scenarios," Bueno noted. "If the NBA raises the money – $5 billion, as reported – that would be very good news for basketball. European basketball has never had $5 billion to invest in its ecosystem.
"In that case, we'd need to sit down with them and ask, 'How can we maximize this opportunity together?' We need to be well-prepared for a proper dialogue to make it work."
Credit AP - Scanpix
Bueno then hinted at the possibility of a collaboration.
"If they raise the money, the most logical path would be a joint competition," he stated. "Having two top-level competitions would split the market and lower the overall level, which wouldn't help anyone. The best approach is to work together, even if it means compromises on both sides.
"If the NBA comes in and does things on its own… well, we believe from this side of the table that it will fragment the market even more and further divide the value. I think we all know that if we can work in a united ecosystem, it will become more monetized. So that's what we're working on.
"And if the NBA doesn't come because in the end it doesn't raise the capital they wanted and they decide to pause, wait a little longer, whatever… well, as the EuroLeague, we must have a three-year plan."
Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images
Bueno also shared how the 13 EuroLeague shareholders should approach discussions with the NBA and FIBA.
"I believe any agreement should include all 13 clubs. The difference is that each club's valuation may vary, and there could be different levels of financial return," the executive said.
Finally, Bueno reflected on why the EuroLeague hasn't fully monetized its potential.
"The issue is fragmentation: too many competitions, too many players," he explained. "That reduces the overall value. The NBA is just one competition. Here, we have national leagues plus five European competitions.
"Perhaps we haven't been able to structure it properly. We need to reach agreements, come together, and define what the ecosystem should look like."
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.