EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno said the league has yet to receive a concrete NBA proposal, while both sides continue talks over a potential collaboration in European basketball.
Credit David Grau/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images
EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno provided an update on the league's talks with the NBA over a potential collaboration between the two organizations.
Bueno revealed that, so far, EuroLeague has not received any formal proposal from the NBA outlining what such a partnership could look like.
"As of today, we have not received anything from the NBA about what a potential partnership or collaboration could look like," Bueno told The Athletic.
"Also, we have signed (non-disclosure agreements) in place, so we will not comment on anything if we share any documents until we both decide together we have something to share," he added.
Bueno stressed that EuroLeague remains open to evaluating any concrete proposal that may arrive from the NBA.
"If an offer or a concrete proposal comes from the NBA, we would evaluate it carefully and, as appropriate, present it to our owners. More broadly, we are always open to exploring collaboration with the NBA or with any other relevant property that can contribute to the growth of the EuroLeague and European basketball."
The EuroLeague CEO also emphasized that both sides have publicly expressed a preference for cooperation rather than further fragmentation of the European basketball landscape.
"We have both publicly stated that we believe collaboration is the best way to grow basketball in Europe," Bueno added.
"I think there is a shared understanding that the European basketball ecosystem can create more value by working together rather than fragmenting the market."
Silver confirms progress in talks with EuroLeague
Adam Silver
Adam Silver
Adam Silver
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also addressed the ongoing discussions earlier this week, saying progress is being made between the two sides.
"We did discuss ongoing negotiations with the EuroLeague. As I said earlier, I believe we're making progress there," Silver said during a press conference. "We believe that the league would be strengthened by joining forces with the EuroLeague."
Silver acknowledged that no agreement has been reached yet, but suggested that a unified approach could benefit basketball in Europe.
"It doesn't have to happen, but we will all be better off as a unified front in Europe," Silver said.
In his opening remarks, Silver described NBA Europe as a historic opportunity to build on the continent's existing basketball traditions.
"Our deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum, spoke about the continued discussions around NBA Europe," Silver said. "To me it's a historic opportunity to potentially build on amazing traditions of European basketball, currently in the EuroLeague and various country leagues."
"But now bring that to the next level by creating a combination of new clubs and existing clubs into an NBA-style European competition.
"And we're continuing to make progress there. We're making progress in discussions with the EuroLeague, and we anticipate that over the next several weeks we will have additional announcements," Silver added.
New details emerge about NBA Europe launch
Silver also provided further details about the potential timeline for NBA Europe.
"I think if it were up to some of them [the owners] at least, we would wait longer to launch. At the same time, depending on where we stand with the EuroLeague, I do think it's important that we introduce competition into the market next summer," he said.
Silver suggested that the initial version of the competition could look different from the league's eventual long-term structure.
"The initial product that you'd likely see to your point a year from now will be different than when we ultimately have brought all the teams together and are formally operating the league."
"So I think the answer is we want to get going. As I alluded to earlier, there will be announcements coming, you know, over the next few months, and those conversations are proceeding in earnest."