The NBA owners are not expected to vote and make the decision regarding NBA European expansion during this week's meeting. However, it is noted that the NBA will present the idea to the owners, and they can vote on the proposal at any time.
The NBA reacted to the latest Sportico's report on NBA European expansion, providing a key update on the owners' voting.
As the NBA spokesperson noted, the NBA owners are not expected to vote on NBA European expansion during this week's meeting.
"At this week's NBA Board of Governors meeting, the league will report on its exploration of a new men's basketball league in Europe, in partnership with FIBA," a league spokesman said in a statement, per the same Sportico report.
NBA owners could vote on the proposal at any time, though no formal vote is scheduled during the meetings this week in New York, an NBA spokesman added.
As reported on Tuesday, the NBA Europe proposal under discussion would establish a league with eight to ten franchises, per the same report.
It would follow a "semi-open" model, allowing up to four of the top EuroLeague teams- such as Spain's Real Madrid and Greece's Olympiacos- to compete in the NBA-affiliated league the following season.
According to the plan, franchises in major cities like London or Paris could be valued at a minimum of $500 million.
Under the proposal, the NBA would own 50% of the league, with franchise owners holding the other 50%.
Meanwhile, the NBA also confirmed that NBA Europe would be established in partnership with FIBA, leaving the EuroLeague outside of the discussions.
In February, EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas was hopeful that the NBA and EuroLeague would re-establish the talks they had earlier.
"We've had many conversations with the NBA, but now the contact has decreased a little. We are trying to re-establish serious discussions with them," Motiejunas said in the Missmatch podcast.
Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.