NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the NBA Europe League could launch sooner than expected. Speaking at the Front Office Sports conference in New York on Tuesday, he shared that the project might kick off as early as 2028.
“I don’t think I’d want to go much longer than ’28. The opportunity is now to do something like this,” Silver stated, expressing his desire to move quickly. This announcement follows the March partnership between the NBA and FIBA, marking the beginning of the NBA Europe League project.
Silver explained that while he admires European soccer, “We don’t want a top-heavy league.” He stressed the importance of creating a competitive environment with many teams having a fair chance at winning. This would help avoid a structure like European soccer leagues, where a few teams often dominate.
The NBA Europe League could start with 16 teams, though the exact number remains undecided. Silver mentioned top European teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, London, Munich, Milan, and Athens as potential members. “I think we could start with some of the exciting arenas and then transition,” he added, hinting at a phased approach.
Basketball’s Growing Popularity in Europe
Silver sees great potential for basketball in Europe, which is quickly gaining traction. “Basketball’s probably the fastest-growing sport in the world right now, and it’s a huge No. 2 sport in Europe behind soccer, so I think there’s a real opportunity,” he stated.
The NBA Europe League can tap into Europe’s established talent pool. Players like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama showcase the region’s growing influence in basketball.
Creating a Fair and Competitive League
Silver aims to build a league that balances competition and fairness. He doesn’t want it governed by a strict salary cap system but rather focused on creating equal opportunities for all teams to compete for the championship. His approach seeks to prevent a situation where only a few teams dominate.
As basketball grows across Europe, the NBA Europe League could elevate the sport to new heights and attract more fans to the game.
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