Both the NBA and the EuroLeague are entering the crucial phase of the season. The playoffs are approaching, and fans are getting ready to experience the season's biggest thrills.
However, it seems that we are also entering a new phase in the debate regarding the future landscape of European basketball.
For months now, we've been talking about the likely arrival of the NBA to create a new league in partnership with FIBA.
Various details have emerged, including the likely start date (October 2027) and the cities expected to be involved in the project, but official confirmation regarding the league's ultimate structure remains elusive.
Until recently, only one thing seemed certain: the NBA, together with FIBA, had decided to go its own way without involving the EuroLeague, with whom contact had ceased after the initial approaches.
Since Chus Bueno became the new CEO of the EuroLeague, the situation has changed significantly.
The Spanish executive has worked for many years at NBA Europe, Middle East and Africa regions and has an excellent relationship with the league's leadership.
The decision to appoint him signaled a clear desire among EuroLeague teams to prioritize dialogue over confrontation with the NBA.
Credit EuroLeague
Even Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, expressed openness to collaborating with the EuroLeague following the latest Board of Governors meeting.
"Chus Bueno used to be a colleague of mine at the NBA for many years," Silver stated. "I think for the better of European basketball, the best outcome would be if we came together with the EuroLeague here".
In short, the NBA commissioner's remarks were a significant step toward dialogue.
Obviously, it is too early to determine whether an agreement will be reached, but the fact that the NBA and EuroLeague have resumed talks offers hope that a mutually beneficial solution can be found.
But if an agreement were reached, what would it look like? What kind of partnership could we expect between the NBA and the EuroLeague?
We've tried to answer some of these questions.
The format
Currently, the EuroLeague consists of 20 teams, with plans to expand to 22 and eventually 24 in the near future.
On April 14, as confirmed by the EuroLeague CEO, there'll be a board meeting, where a decision is expected on whether to continue with 20 teams or expand to 22 for the upcoming season.
This year's expansion to 20 teams has, of course, placed additional strain on a schedule that was already quite packed.
The EuroLeague recognizes that the current round-robin format requires modification to ensure a balanced schedule, particularly if further expansion occurs.
The NBA's initial European proposal envisioned a 16-team competition featuring 12 permanent spots and 4 additional spots determined by qualification.
Would it be possible to implement a 24-team conference system to reduce the total number of games per season?
This could be a solution that satisfies all parties involved. Furthermore, the NBA, at FIBA's urging, wants players participating in its in-season windows–something the EuroLeague has never fully guaranteed in past years.
Credit FIBA Media
To make this possible, of course, the schedule needs to be streamlined, resulting in fewer games and a reduction in double-round weeks.
In Italy, for example, sources told BasketNews that discussions have already occurred regarding starting the domestic league earlier.
This would eliminate midweek fixtures and create space for an end-of-season qualification tournament for teams seeking a non-permanent spot in the NBA Europe league.
Many cities the NBA targets are already part of the EuroLeague (Madrid, Barcelona, Istanbul, Athens, Milan, Lyon, Paris), but others, such as London, Manchester, and Rome, would have to be established from scratch or integrated in some other way.
Would the EuroLeague agree to incorporate these new markets while maintaining its historic core?
Until a few years ago, the EuroLeague also hoped London could become part of the competition, and the Lions seemed to be on the right track before their financial situation took a nosedive.
Then there is the issue of Russian, Israeli, and Middle Eastern teams.
One of the EuroLeague's shareholders is CSKA Moscow, which remains suspended due to the war in Ukraine.
Israeli teams have been playing on neutral ground since the start of the conflict with Iran, and their return remains uncertain pending regional stability.
Dubai, which joined the EuroLeague this season, is also currently playing its home games on neutral ground, due to regional tensions.
The NBA initially signaled a focus on European countries, appearing hesitant to include Israeli or Emirati teams.
However, the NBA, like the EuroLeague, is undeniably attracted to investment from the Arabian Peninsula, raising questions about how these conflicting interests can be reconciled.
Credit Jorge Ferrari / Getty Images
Would a potential merger between NBA Europe and the EuroLeague lead to the exclusion of some of these teams?
At the moment, it is difficult to predict the outcome, especially given the current geopolitical climate.
The business side
Another key factor in reaching an agreement will be aligning economic and financial frameworks.
The EuroLeague recently announced that JB Capital valued the league and its teams at €3.2 billion.
The JB Capital report values the EuroLeague at €1.4 billion for the current season and €1.6 billion for the following season, with individual teams valued between €60 million and €320 million.
The new EuroLeague CEO plans to transform teams into franchises by granting permanent licenses–a model mirroring the NBA designed to boost team valuations.
By the end of March, the NBA is expected to complete its review of bids from investors seeking to purchase new European franchises.
After that date, the level of interest and potential capital will become clearer.
Once that figure is determined, both parties can negotiate a functional partnership more effectively.
According to a report by CNBC, certain members of the NBA leadership hope to reach an agreement with the EuroLeague, including the possibility of an equity exchange between the two leagues or perhaps even a merger.
Initial projections suggest the NBA aims to secure total bids of around €5 billion, maintaining a 50% stake in the venture while allocating the remainder to franchise owners.
Chus Bueno, of course, would like to see the EuroLeague play a role in managing a sum of this magnitude, which would represent a truly unprecedented investment in European basketball.
Envisioning a possible agreement between the two sides, Chus Bueno described the potential scenario in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"We bring the assets. We have the teams, the cities, and the competition. And they can bring their expertise in managing leagues. They bring capital and a widely recognized logo, which is for attracting partners such as TV networks and sponsors," the Spanish executive explained.
Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images
Both sides, therefore, seem open to discussing a partnership on the business side, providing a positive outlook for the sport's future.
The NBA has already engaged in discussions with Amazon and YouTube regarding broadcasting rights, though no deal has been finalized.
If one of these giants were to enter the European basketball market, the teams would benefit significantly, given the current fragmentation of continental media rights.
April and May are expected to yield more definitive answers. For the first time in years, a collective solution involving the NBA, the EuroLeague, and FIBA appears possible.
The hope is that this opportunity results in a sustainable benefit for the sport, rather than merely serving as a platform for billionaire investors.
Sergio Llull Picks Which EuroLeague Shot Is Most Iconic!
Orazio Cauchi
Orazio Cauchi started his career in basketball at 21, having worked for several years at Sportando as the lead writer of the website. He also covered several live events, including the Euroleague Final Four, Italian Cups, Serie A league finals, and EuroBasket. He also contributed to American media, such as LibertyBallers and Def Pen Hoops. Cauchi joined BasketNews in 2021 as a Staff Writer. Holds a degree in Politics & International Relations.
About author
Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.
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.