NBA team owners are expected to vote this week on a proposal to launch a new professional basketball league in Europe, according to Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico.
The vote, scheduled during the NBA’s owners meetings in New York, would mark a significant step toward the league’s plan to expand its global presence.
Throughout the season, reports have indicated that the NBA has been exploring the possibility of creating its own league in Europe to broaden the sport’s reach overseas and capture a greater share of the economic growth in the region.
According to Sportico, the NBA believes the basketball market in Europe and the Middle East could generate up to $3 billion in annual revenue.
The proposal for the European league outlines several key details. The league would feature eight to 10 teams and operate with a “semi-open” model. This means that up to four spots could be available for top-performing EuroLeague teams, which would have the opportunity to join the NBA’s European league in subsequent seasons.
Under the plan, the league’s permanent franchise slots would be sold to outside investors, with the NBA holding 50% equity and franchise owners controlling the remaining 50%. The league is particularly interested in selling franchises to investors outside the NBA, including sovereign wealth funds, private capital, wealthy individuals, or existing European basketball clubs.
The NBA’s proposal suggests that franchises in cities such as London or Paris could sell for at least $500 million.
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