NBA Europe? Adam Silver, UK Prime Minister And Big Investors Reportedly In Deep Talks

NBA commissioner Adam Silver isn’t just thinking globally. He’s acting on it.

Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum met with United Kingdom prime minister Keir Starmer and a wave of potential investors as part of what looks like serious early planning for a possible NBA-backed league in Europe, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

And this wasn’t just a feel-good handshake session.

The duo also met with representatives from RedBird Capital, KKR, and CVC — three massive investment firms. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and even Turkish soccer powerhouse Galatasaray were reportedly part of the conversations.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.K., Warren Stephens, also got involved.

According to Sportico’s Scott Soshnick and Dan Bernstein, Silver and Tatum’s meetings also included talks with other basketball teams and sovereign wealth funds. The current 20% ownership cap for private equity firms in NBA franchises is expected to be enforced here too, although it’s unclear if those limits might shift in this new model.

Early indications suggest that the new league would be run with backing from both the NBA and FIBA. It would play by FIBA rules, not NBA ones. London is reportedly in line to get a franchise, should this thing go forward.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps is buying the buzz.

“This all goes back to the NBA Europe plan that the league is potentially looking to enact over the next couple of years,” Bontemps said on NBA Today. “Could be an expansion for the league, try to make a bunch of money over in Europe. This all points toward that league trying to get off the ground at some point here in the near future.”

Silver and FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis confirmed this spring that “exploratory” talks had taken place. That proposal featured 12 permanent teams and four rotating wild cards, with the latter dependent on performance in outside leagues. There’s also been quiet chatter about some EuroLeague teams possibly making the jump.

Current NBA team owners are expected to hold equity in the league, though they wouldn’t necessarily control individual franchises.

No firm date. No final format. But it’s clear the NBA isn’t just flirting with Europe anymore. It’s courting it.