NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the European league's salary cap system and clubs' ownership in a recent press conference.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently addressed the possibility of the league expanding its influence to Europe during a Board of Governors press conference.
When asked about the economics of an NBA-backed European league and its potential differences from the NBA’s structured salary cap system, Silver made it clear that the league would not support a system without competitive balance.
"We are not interested in operating a league that has no system of control in terms of competition, in terms of ultimate compensation paid to the players," Silver said. "I mean, we have a salary system in the NBA, but because it's a revenue-sharing system with the league, even though it's a capped system, there are enormous rewards for the players. I think likely the highest-paid players in the world in any sport."
Silver acknowledged the complexities of European labor laws and how they would impact the financial model of a potential league.
He emphasized that the NBA’s expertise in revenue sharing and competitive balance would be crucial in ensuring fair play among all participating teams, regardless of market size.
"It may require a different approach than the way we can collectively bargain a salary system in the United States," Silver explained. "But still, we would want, and that’s one of the expertise that we bring to a potential new league, a system where every team, regardless of the market size, is in a position to compete and compete on as close to a level playing field as possible."
Another key aspect discussed was the role of existing NBA team owners in a European league. Silver clarified that under current NBA rules, owners can only own one basketball club.
"At least it's our contemplation now that NBA owners would participate as a collective as owners in the league, but not owners of individual clubs," Silver noted.
FIBA General Secretary Andreas Zagklis also spoke about the European basketball landscape, emphasizing the goal of uniting the sport across the continent.
"All clubs in Europe are FIBA clubs. We want to unite the European basketball ecosystem. We want the top teams earning more money and being sustainable," Zagklis said.
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