NBA Eyes Europe for League Expansion
The NBA Is Preparing to Create Its Own League in Europe to Compete With the Euroleague
The NBA Heads Overseas
The latest NBA news indicates commissioner Adam Silver could be planning more trips to Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and other top European cities. These are all hypothetical road trips, but what we do know is that the NBA is considering creating a European league to compete with top international organizations.
Rumors have been buzzing about the NFL expanding to European cities, but the NBA is thinking about something a bit different. This European league would be its own entity and not part of The Association.
FIBA will remain in “serious conversation” with the NBA about starting a new league to “compete with the EuroLeague and top pro leagues in individual countries.” 👀
(via The Athletic) pic.twitter.com/jxxSzbS6zT
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) December 10, 2024
The Athletic’s Joe Vardon reported that the NBA is considering creating its own European league potentially as a competitor to the popular EuroLeague.
“There is clear interest (by the NBA) and there are ongoing discussions with FIBA,” FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said during the organization’s annual news conference, per The Athletic. “We’ve been having and will continue having discussions with … the company that operates the EuroLeague.
“It is something that has been on our radar. We tried to bring everyone together. This was not possible. So our job is to continue having serious conversations with our partners at the NBA.”
Can the NBA Work in Europe?
Let’s think about this, if the English Premier League came to the States to launch an international football league, chances are people would buy in. The difference here is that the EuroLeague is higher competition when compared to the MLS.
“Everyone is smart here, nobody plays the wrong way. It’s real basketball over here. It’s not like you have 1 or 2 players who just take all the shots.” 👀
– Lonnie Walker on the euroleague
(Via @Eurohoopsnet ) pic.twitter.com/Gd0oV8prKz
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 10, 2024
There are real advantages to the NBA investing in Europe and starting to develop international players. The league is already made up of a lot of international stars.
That said, the American basketball developmental system is not exactly great. The AAU culture has its flaws and at its worst, is failing to develop fundamentally. The NBA is actually benefiting from the way basketball is taught in EuroLeague basketball.
Alen Smailagic names a key EuroLeague-NBA difference 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/94xt2Bi8SG
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) October 13, 2024
A NBA European League Has Legs But Be Careful
If these NBA rumors are true, the league would be wise to be careful. If Silver takes a blank NBA template and tries to apply it to Europe, this venture will be doomed from the start.
The NBA wants to start its own league in Europe. And they believe they can actually compete with the EuroLeague for the top talent in Europe.
According to The Athletic, the NBA is in ‘serious conversation’ with FIBA about starting a new European league.
They’re also in talks… pic.twitter.com/tE568G6sCU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 11, 2024
For an NBA European league to work, it needs to rely on local coaches and decision-makers who already know the culture. If the NBA can combine the success of leveraging its brand with utilizing local people, this could be a recipe for success.
Just don’t expect the Los Angeles Lakers roster to play a European team that is part of the NBA anytime soon.
