NBA's talks about new league in Europe are continuing, though the process remains in early stages
OKLAHOMA CITY — The NBA's talks with FIBA and other entities about the process of adding a new league in Europe are continuing, Commissioner Adam Silver said, though he noted that it may take at least a couple more years to turn the ideas into reality.
Silver spoke at a league event to unveil a refurbished Boys & Girls Club in Oklahoma City on Friday — an off day for the NBA Finals — and said it's difficult to put a specific timeline on the Europe plans.
'I will say it's measured in years, not months,' Silver said. 'So, we're at least a couple years away from launching. It would be an enormous undertaking. And while we want to move forward at a deliberate pace, we also want to make sure that we're consulting with all the appropriate stakeholders, meaning the existing league, its teams, European players, media companies, marketing partners. There's a lot of work to be done.'
Silver and FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis announced in March that the league and the game's governing body are finally taking long-awaited steps to form a new league, with an initial target of 16 teams. It had been talked about for years, and decades even on some levels. And since the NBA and FIBA went public with their idea to move forward, talks have gotten more constructive, Silver said.
Silver said the NBA has been talking directly with the EuroLeague and with some member clubs about a partnership. It's his preference that the NBA work with the existing league on some level, though it's still too early to say exactly what that means.
'Either way, we continue to feel there are an enormous number of underserved basketball fans in Europe and that there's a strong opportunity to have another league styled after the NBA,' Silver said.
About one in every six current NBA players hails from Europe, including Denver's Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo — who have combined for five of the last seven MVP awards — along with the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic and San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama .
The NBA's board of governors will talk more about next steps with the European plans in July at their scheduled meeting in Las Vegas, Silver said. It's possible that the European venture could be unveiled in some way — or possibly start — around the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, just given how much attention will be on international basketball at that time.
'That might be a good launching pad for an announcement around a new competition,' Silver said.
Some of the cities that are expected to have interest in being part of the new venture include London, Manchester, Rome and Munich. There will be others, of course.
'We haven't had direct conversations yet,' Silver said. "But there have been several organizations that have come forward and said they would be interested and potential owners in operating in those major markets in Europe.'
NBA: /nba
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
37 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Magnus Carlsen keeps option of playing classical chess open: ‘Not saying never playing again'
Magnus Carlsen is not ending his classical career. At least not right away. Carlsen said he was 'on the fence' about quitting the most traditional format of the sport. This comes on the back of the world no 1 suggesting more than once that he was considering not playing classical chess at all. 'I don't think I will be playing a lot (of classical chess), but I am also not guaranteeing that I'm never playing a classical tournament again. I might be back here next year. I cannot be sure,' he said on the live broadcast of Norway Chess on Friday after winning his home event for the seventh time in 13 years of asking. 'At the very least it's nice to see I can still play. And it's nice to see that at least in parts of the game I can still be quite a lot better than the guys who are trying to take over.' Carlsen said over and over that winning the title this year was more of a 'relief than joy'. But asked on the Chess24 broadcast if he had sent a message to the young stars hoping to take his place by winning, he said he hadn't, since he had 'stumbled over the finish line'. 'I generally feel that I can outplay the kids (like Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi) which feels good,' he said with a shrug. 'It's good to see that at least in parts of the game I am a lot better than kids who are trying to take over.' Barring a few games a year in European leagues, Carlsen only plays the classical format at Norway Chess, whose rise to a super-elite tournament in 13 years has been inextricably linked with his own rise as the world's greatest player of this generation. When the first tournament was held, Carlsen was yet to win his first world championship title. Now, he's lost the appetite for the format after winning five. His father Henrik had told Indian media recently that his son does enjoy the classical format at Norway Chess — two hours for each player with players getting just 10-second increments from the 41st move — as it was spicy. He's frequently warmed up for games at Norway Chess with a round of golf, rather than hours of prep that others indulge in. The two games Carlsen, the world no 1, played against the world champion Gukesh at the tournament were significant and were extra spicy too. After beating Gukesh in round 1, Carlsen had tweeted a quote from The Wire, 'If you come for the king you better not miss.' After losing to Gukesh in round 6, Carlsen had slammed the table in a moment that was memed, spoofed and recreated around the world. After that defeat, Carlsen had said that the loss had made him question why he was playing in the format. Carlsen has spoken a couple of times about losing interest in the tournament after that ego-bruising defeat to Gukesh. But it was only after winning the title on Friday that he showed how deep the gash from the loss was. 'My reaction didn't really stop there (with slamming his fist). I was so out of it that I had to jump out of the car on the way back and just take several minutes just to compose myself,' he said. He said that the pain he felt after the defeat to Gukesh was the strongest emotion he had experienced in the tournament. 'There were some encouraging signs. But I also feel very old.' He was then asked to pick one player from the young lot who could dominate the sport like he did. 'There's no one at the moment,' he told Chess24 with a light slap on his chair's armrest. 'There could be, but at the moment it's not likely. Gukesh showed that he's on track at this tournament. But he's not way ahead of track as we may have thought. They're not ready to take over. Every single one of them has very clear flaws in their games, which you're supposed to do. Once-in-a-generation talent are once-in-a-generation for a reason.' (The writer is in Stavanger at the invitation of Norway Chess) Amit Kamath is Assistant Editor at The Indian Express and is based in Mumbai. ... Read More
India Gazette
44 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Hockey India extends wishes to Hardik Singh for completing 150 international caps
Amsterdam [Netherlands], June 7 (ANI): Indian men's hockey team vice-captain Hardik Singh reached a significant personal milestone on Saturday, earning his 150th international cap during India's opening match of the European leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25 against the Netherlands. The 26-year-old midfielder from Jalandhar, Punjab, has been a pillar of consistency and dynamism in India's midfield since his debut at the 2018 Hero Asian Champions Trophy, where India and Pakistan were declared joint winners. Since then, Hardik has become one of the most dependable figures in Indian hockey, representing the nation in nearly every major international tournament. A key architect of India's recent resurgence on the world stage, Hardik played a crucial role in securing the historic Bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, as well as the Silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. He was also part of India's gold-medal winning campaigns at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the 2023 Hero Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, and the 2018 edition in Muscat, Oman. Hardik's stellar performances have earned him widespread recognition, including the Arjuna Award in 2021, the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year (2022 & 2023), and the Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year (2024). Speaking on the milestone, Hardik Singh said, as quoted from Hockey India press release, 'It's an emotional moment for me. I've always worn the India jersey with immense pride, and reaching 150 caps feels surreal. This journey has been full of learning, resilience, and unforgettable moments. I'm grateful to my coaches, teammates, and family who have been my biggest support system. I look forward to continuing to give my best for the country.' Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey congratulated Hardik and stated, 'Hardik has grown into one of the most reliable and intelligent midfielders in world hockey. His ability to control the tempo of the game and step up under pressure is what sets him apart. On behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate him on this well-deserved milestone and look forward to many more standout performances from him.' Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added, 'Reaching 150 international matches at the age of 26 is a testament to Hardik's commitment, discipline, and fitness. He continues to be a great ambassador for Indian hockey and a role model for young players across the country. We are proud of his achievements and his contribution to Indian hockey's success story.' (ANI)
India Gazette
44 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurates residential wing of Weightlifting Warriors Academy
Modi Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 7 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday inaugurated the residential wing of the Weightlifting Warriors Academy, the centre where Olympic Silver Medalist Mirabai Chanu trains, marking a significant milestone in India's Olympic preparations for 2036. The state-of-the-art facility, established by Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma in September 2024, will now provide accommodation for up to 60 athletes in 30 fully equipped rooms. Currently, 40 young athletes aged 8-14 years and 15 elite athletes are also training at the academy. Speaking at the inauguration, Rijiju congratulated the team and expressed his confidence in the academy. 'I would like to congratulate the team at Weightlifting Warriors that the residential centre has opened. I am not just wishing you all good luck, but I have faith that a great champion will emerge from here. I have seen a lot of academies in my life... but the way Vijay has run this academy with dedication, and the way they work hard to make it a success. I have never seen that anywhere else,' he said, as quoted from a press release by Weightlifting Warriors. Olympic Silver Medalist Mirabai Chanu, who trains at the academy, expressed her commitment to mentoring the next generation and said, 'The 2036 Olympics is not just a dream for us, it is a commitment for our country. My young athletes, remember that when you train, you take the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians with you.' Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma shared his vision: 'The dream I had of an academy has come true today. With Mirabai's training, these kids can learn something and perform well in the next Olympics.' The academy operates under the Khelo India Scheme with support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Olympic Gold Quest, and the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF). (ANI)
