The expected was confirmed. There will be a before and after for European basketball after March 27, 2025. The NBA, through its commissioner Adam Silver, announced together with Adreas Zagklis, secretary general of FIBA, the creation of a tournament that will be played in Europe in the coming years under the tutelage of the American professional competition and FIBA, and with special sensitivity towards the player, the fan, the profitability of the business and respect for national leagues. The earthquake will force the continent’s big clubs to position themselves for their hypothetical incorporation to play in the European NBA. The NBA’s governors have welcomed the proposal “with enthusiasm,” Silver said
The EuroLeague, which does not have the participation of the clubs that have been its standard bearers secured for the coming seasons, has taken the news with uncertainty. The question is how many of its founding clubs, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Baskonia, Maccabi, Zalgiris, Anadolu Efes, Olimpia Milano, Fenerbahce, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, will jump ship to join the new competition, where everything is still to be decided. Initial speculation suggests that each franchise participating in the new competition will have to contribute $250 million
Adam Silver appeared alongside FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis to confirm that the NBA and FIBA are going to take the next step together. “The NBA and FIBA are continuing to explore a new men’s competition in Europe. Under the current plan being evaluated, the new league would be integrated into the European basketball landscape with teams participating in their respective national competitions. In addition to a number of permanent teams, the league would offer clubs a merit-based pathway through the European basketball ecosystem, with respect for the harmonisation of the national team calendar”
Enthusiastic support from within the NBA
“It is important to emphasize that the plan we are currently evaluating is compatible with what FIBA and its partners are doing in Europe, connected to the Basketball Champions League and national leagues, with the solidarity of development programs between FIBA and the NBA, and with the harmonization of the calendar,” said Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Secretary General, while Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, said that the plan has received “enthusiastic support” from the NBA Board of Governors.
Both Silver and Zagklis did not give too many details of what will be the landing of the NBA in Europe. They stressed that talks will be stepped up to finalize the tournament. The NBA commissioner did say that it will be 16 clubs, “with brands recognized around the world, with famous football clubs,” in a veiled reference to the European sports giants who have shown interest in the tournament such as Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern.
As part of this new competition, the NBA and FIBA also plan to dedicate financial support and resources to the continued development of the basketball ecosystem in Europe, including club academies and existing NBA and FIBA programs to train players, coaches and referees at all levels of the game.
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