NBA team owners reportedly considering launching European league, will discuss proposal this week
NBA team owners are expected to vote this week on an initiative to launch a professional basketball league in Europe, Sportico's Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams reported Tuesday.
The proposed league would be comprised of eight to 10 teams and aims to expand basketball's presence across Europe and capitalize on the sport's popularity by being more involved in the economics of its growth overseas. The NBA estimates that the market for basketball in Europe and the Middle East could generate up to $3 billion in annual revenue.
Franchises in cities such as London or Paris could sell for at least $500 million, according to Sportico. The NBA's league would sell permanent franchise openings to outside investors — such as sovereign wealth funds, private capital, individuals with capital or even current European basketball clubs. Under that arrangement, the NBA would hold 50% of the team's equity and new owners hold the other 50%. It's a model similar to that used for the WNBA until that league was able to raise outside capital in 2022.
🚨 BREAKING from @Sportico 🚨 NBA owners are set to vote this week on a plan to launch a pro basketball league in Europe 🏀🌍 pic.twitter.com/C5IeFX6Nkc
— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) March 25, 2025
The NBA's European league could also operate under a "semi-open" model that would create spaces for top EuroLeague teams — for instance, FC Bayern Munich of Germany or Spain's Real Madrid — to join the NBA venture during the following year.
This initiative is separate from the international basketball league seeking $5 billion from investors that's being advised by Maverick Carter, LeBron James' business partner, that aspires to be "an F1 for basketball" and not a direct competitor to the NBA.
NBA team owners have discussed opportunities in Europe for the past year and the league has launched previous business deals in China and Africa, and played regular season games in London and Paris. Meanwhile, international players including three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama have become huge stars in the league and grown the NBA's popularity overseas.
The owners are scheduled to discuss the European league proposal this week during league meetings in New York City. No formal vote is scheduled during the meetings, but one could be made by the league's board of governors at any time, according to Sportico.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
40 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Lakers' LeBron James Strongly Urged to Retire By Former NBA Big Man
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has put together a career that places him on the "GOAT" list to many. At the very least, he's a legitimate contender to the title and the only other name on that list is Michael Jordan. It is expected that James will make his return for another season in 2025-26. He is still playing at a high level and would have a full season playing with Luka Doncic next year. He has played in 22 NBA season to this point in his career. Should he play next year, he would officially hold the record for most seasons played in the league. Right now, he is tied with Vince Carter for that record. LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks towards the crowd during a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half of the NBA Opening night game at Ball Arena on October 24,... LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks towards the crowd during a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half of the NBA Opening night game at Ball Arena on October 24, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. More Photo byWhile James is expected to return for year 23, one former NBA big man does not think he should keep playing. Read more: NBA Analyst Floats Knicks Theory Regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jason Kidd During an appearance with Byron Scott on the "Fast Break" podcast, Olden Polynice spoke out with a pointed statement about James. He believes that it's time for the longtime superstar to call it a career. "The longevity aspect, I think it's getting a little bit too much now," Polynice said. "Because I'm like, dude, what else you want to do? It's time for you (James) to start thinking about retiring. He ain't getting no fifth ring unless he buys one, It ain't happening." Granted, there is obvious proof that James has started slowing down some. However, he is still putting up impressive numbers and making a massive impact night in and night out. Read more: Warriors Trade Idea Lands 2-Time All-Star in Massive Offseason Move Throughout the course of the 2024-25 NBA season, James played in 70 games. He averaged 24.4 points per game to go along with 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and a steal. In addition, he shot 51.3 percent from the floor and knocked down 37.6 percent of his three-point attempts. Looking ahead to next season, the Lakers will need to make some offseason moves to get back into NBA Finals contention. Los Angeles needs more defense and also needs a legitimate starting center. Rob Pelinka has his work cut out for him. Polynice may be right that the Lakers aren't a favorite to win a championship, but James is more than capable of continuing to play for another year or two if he chooses to do so. It's an eye-opening take, but it's an opinion that many disagree with. For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Marina Mabrey scores season-high 34 points, Sun beat Dream 84-76 for first home victory
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Marina Mabrey scored a season-high 34 points and Tina Charles had seven of her 19 points in the final six minutes to help the Connecticut Sun beat the Atlanta Dream 84-76 on Friday night for their first home victory this season. Mabrey shot 13 for 22 from the field, including 3 for 8 on 3-pointers, and 5 for 6 at the free-throw line for her fourth career 30-point game. She was two points shy of tying her career-high 36 set on June 15, 2023 against Indiana.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Marina Mabrey scores season-high 34 points, Sun beat Dream 84-76 for first home victory
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Marina Mabrey scored a season-high 34 points and Tina Charles had seven of her 19 points in the final six minutes to help the Connecticut Sun beat the Atlanta Dream 84-76 on Friday night for their first home victory this season. Mabrey shot 13 for 22 from the field, including 3 for 8 on 3-pointers, and 5 for 6 at the free-throw line for her fourth career 30-point game. She was two points shy of tying her career-high 36 set on June 15, 2023 against Indiana. Mabrey scored six points during Connecticut's 12-2 run to open the third quarter for a 48-37 lead. Connecticut led 58-45 with 2:40 left in the third before Atlanta went on a 16-4 run to get to 62-61 on Rhyne Howard's 3-pointer just before the buzzer. But the Dream only had one field goal in the opening five minutes of the fourth to trail 71-64. The Sun starters finished with 75 points. Bria Hartley scored 11 points and rookie Saniya Rivers had three steals and two blocks for Connecticut (2-6). Olivia Nelson-Ododa did not play in the second half due to an ankle injury. Howard and Brittney Griner led Atlanta (5-3) with 18 points apiece. Naz Hillmon had 14 points and Allisha Gray added 11. Brionna Jones, who made her first appearance at Mohegan Sun Arena since playing with the Sun for the first eight years of her career, had seven points and six rebounds. Mabrey sank a floater in the lane with 0.5 seconds left in the first half to give Connecticut a 36-35 lead. Mabrey, averaging 15 points per game, scored 15 in the first half and Charles had 10 points. Atlanta had its four-game win streak come to an end. ___ AP WNBA:
