The NBA's ambitious plan to establish a standalone European league is generating massive financial interest, with prospective franchise owners submitting bids that exceed the $1 billion mark.
Tentatively dubbed "NBA Europe," the proposed transatlantic competition is aiming for a launch as early as the 2027-28 season. Organizers initially envision a permanent, closed-league format featuring 10 to 12 franchises, though that footprint could ultimately expand to 16 teams. Prominent sports markets, including London and Manchester, are widely expected to secure spots in the inaugural lineup.
Industry insiders indicate that multiple competitive offers have landed in the $500 million to $1 billion (£375m to £750m) range, alongside several standout bids completely surpassing the billion-dollar threshold. The prospective ownership groups consist of a diverse mix of newly formed franchises, established basketball organizations, and major European football clubs looking to expand their sporting portfolios.
"The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace's belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball," stated Mark Tatum, the NBA's deputy commissioner and chief operating officer. "We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent."
The introduction of an NBA-backed competition is poised to dramatically alter the current European basketball landscape, which has been anchored by the EuroLeague since 2000. Reportedly, over a dozen existing organizations—including active EuroLeague competitors—have already engaged in preliminary discussions with the NBA regarding the transition.
While EuroLeague executives declined to comment on the specific franchise negotiations, the organization noted that it remains open to exploring collaborative avenues with the NBA as the global basketball ecosystem continues to rapidly evolve.