The NBA is heading in a new, exciting direction, as the league continues its mission to become a global brand. On Wednesday, Commissioner Adam Silver claimed that the NBA Europe league will officially begin and confirmed when it will have its first season.
Silver, who is 64 years old, confirms that the NBA Europe league will start in the 2027-28 season, according to insider Brett Siegel. Silver also claimed that bids for franchises are due by the end of June 2026.
“We are very much on schedule. It is our hope and anticipation that the league will launch in the 2027-28 season in Europe,” said Silver. “We are on track. Final bids from franchises are due at the end of the month in June. We are very excited about the ongoing opportunity.”
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Furthermore, the 12th-year Commissioner stated that the NBA Europe league will launch with 16 teams, 12 of which will be permanent, per Siegel. The league is in talks with EuroLeague and will seemingly launch NBA Europe regardless of what EuroLeague has to say about it.
“NBA Europe will launch with a 16-team league with 12 permanent franchises,” reported Siegel. “Silver: ‘Any club can play in those remaining spots.' Discussions with EuroLeague will continue, but the NBA Europe league will move forward no matter what EuroLeague decides.”
Adam Silver, along with FIBA, initially announced plans for NBA Europe in the early portion of 2025. Silver had stated before that the plan to grow the league globally has been something he's been working on since becoming the Commissioner of the NBA back in 2014.
The NBA is heading in a new, exciting direction, as the league continues its mission to become a global brand. On Wednesday, Commissioner Adam Silver claimed that the NBA Europe league will officially begin and confirmed when it will have its first season. Silver, who is 64 years old, confirms that the NBA Europe league will start in the 2027-28 season, according to insider Brett Siegel.