NBA considers potential expansion with European League

The NBA has long been engaged in discussions with FIBA ​​to expand its footprint in Europe.

Now, thanks to a lucrative new broadcast rights deal worth an estimated $76 billion, those discussions are becoming more frequent.

Learn more: NBA set to leave TNT in massive new media rights deal

According to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, league commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged that the NBA is considering a new European basketball league or an annual tournament in that region. Reynolds adds that Silver has taken note of the NBA’s presence at this year’s Olympics in Paris, observing fans wearing contemporary and classic player merchandise.

“We haven’t made a final decision yet,” Silver said of a possible deal with FIBA. “I still think there’s a huge opportunity there. It’s not about changing the structure of a league in the short term. But I think our team owners want to invest more in global basketball. We have a big initiative in China and Africa. Given the quality of basketball here in Europe, it would make sense for us to do something here as well.”

Silver, 62, served as the league’s deputy commissioner behind David Stern from 2006 to 2014, after which he was eventually promoted to commissioner. During his decade in power, he was instrumental in overseeing the game’s growth overseas.

There’s no doubt that the global game is booming. About 60 players on the roster in 2024-25 come from Europe, and about 60 more come from other countries. The last two No. 1 picks are French, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher.

“When we played our first preseason game in France, there were no French players in the NBA. Now we have 14, including the last two No. 1 picks,” Silver added. “So I think it’s a great example of the development we’re seeing in the game here.”

Silver admitted that he didn’t want to make a decision that would harm the league’s current global presence or dilute its influence elsewhere. The second-best professional basketball league in the world, from a competition standpoint, is probably the Euroleague, so it’s clear that the sport is already in a good position on the continent.

“We certainly don’t want to damage the solid foundations of basketball infrastructure that are in place,” Silver acknowledged. “On the other hand, in terms of regional and pan-regional competition here in Europe, I feel – and again, I’m still studying – that a lot of investors are losing significant amounts of money every year. And while it’s not just about money, most things that continue to lose money without a trajectory to profitability don’t ultimately survive. And so whatever we do here, I think it’s important that it adds to the fabric of European basketball.”