NBA Preparing For Possible Quick Launch Of European League

The NBA is aiming to create its own sponsored league overseas, perhaps as soon as next season, as relayed by Ennio Terrasi Borghesan of Sportando.

“Spanish newspaper Marca reports that the NBA and FIBA are currently working to launch NBA Europe, the European division of the NBA,” Borghesan wrote.

“Negotiations are on the way, as NBA commissioner Adam Silver has already sent a letter to Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu, expressing his will to count on Europe’s best teams in the project.”

Some of the more notable teams in Euroleague include defending champion Anadolu Efes, Real Madrid, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Fenerbahce, Bayern Munich, Olympia Milano, CSKA Moscow and Olympiacos.

“MARCA has learned that the NBA and FIBA are well on course to create this league and negotiations are right on track,” per the original report.

Almost all of the Euroleague rosters are dotted with former NBA and/or G League players and American college stars.

“The Euroleague internal crisis with the progressive demotion of Bertomeu has reportedly accelerated the creation of NBA Europe, with the NBA hoping to launch the project as early as next season,” Borghesan wrote.

Also, according to Marca:

“The creation of NBA Europe would be a huge blow to the EuroLeague, and it immediately faces an uncertain future after some teams lead the march towards the NBA deal.

“The closeness of FIBA in the deal would also end the climate of conflict which has existed between the EuroLeague and FIBA for years, something which has often seen players caught in the middle.”