NBA and FIBA Plan New European Basketball League
The NBA, in partnership with FIBA, is planning to launch a new professional basketball league in Europe.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis have discussed the project, aiming to tap into the important european basketball market.
Targeting European Basketball’s Untapped Potential
Silver highlighted the immense popularity of basketball in Europe, noting that it is indeed the second most popular sport with hundreds of millions of fans and a considerable number of European players in the NBA. “There is, I think, an enormous gap between the interest in the sport and its advancement compared to what we do in North America,” Silver said, suggesting the NBA aims to apply its expertise in commercial development to the European market.
A League of 16 Teams
the new league is expected to include 16 teams, with 12 holding permanent licenses. The remaining four slots could see teams rotating annually. Potential participants may include Euroleague clubs,teams from the Basketball Champions League (BCL),and newly created franchises in major European cities. There are reports suggesting interest from groups such as Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), owners of Paris Saint-Germain, and potential involvement from clubs in London and Manchester.
FIBA Rules and a Salary Cap
The league will adhere to FIBA rules, including 10-minute quarters. However, a salary cap, not currently standard in European basketball, will be implemented. This new league is poised to compete with the euroleague, and the timing of the announcement might potentially be strategic, possibly pressuring the Euroleague to engage in negotiations.
given the current lack of a salary cap in many European basketball leagues, how might implementing one in this new league impact player movement and team competitiveness?
NBA and FIBA Plan New European Basketball League: Q&A
The NBA and FIBA are teaming up to launch a new professional basketball league in Europe.Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the NBA interested in Europe?
Basketball is incredibly popular in Europe, with hundreds of millions of fans. The NBA sees a meaningful opportunity to apply its commercial expertise to further develop the sport in the European market, which has a lot of “untapped potential.”
Who is involved in this project?
The project involves the NBA, FIBA, prospective investors, teams, arena developers, and commercial partners [[1](https://about.fiba.basketball/en/news/nba-and-fiba-to-move-forward-on-exploration-of-new-professional-mens-basketball-league-in-europe)]. Key figures include NBA Commissioner adam Silver and FIBA Secretary General Andreas zagklis.
How will this new league be structured?
the plan involves integrating the new league into the existing European basketball landscape. Teams would participate in their respective national leagues alongside the new league [[1](https://about.fiba.basketball/en/news/nba-and-fiba-to-move-forward-on-exploration-of-new-professional-mens-basketball-league-in-europe)]. the league is expected to have 16 teams, with 12 holding permanent licenses and 4 slots rotating annually. Possible teams might include Euroleague clubs,teams from the Basketball Champions League (BCL),and newly created franchises in major European cities.
What rules will the league follow?
The league will adhere to FIBA rules, including 10-minute quarters. A salary cap will also be implemented, which is not currently standard in european basketball.
Who might be interested in investing in the league?
Groups like Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), owners of Paris Saint-Germain, have reportedly shown interest, along with potential involvement from clubs in London and Manchester.
When is this happening?
The NBA and FIBA are still in the exploration phase. Discussions have been ongoing for over a year [[1](https://about.fiba.basketball/en/news/nba-and-fiba-to-move-forward-on-exploration-of-new-professional-mens-basketball-league-in-europe)].
In Conclusion
The launch of this new league could shake up the European basketball scene. Stay tuned for more developments as the NBA and FIBA continue to explore this exciting venture!
