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NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum said that NBA Europe “plans to begin naming winning bidders for 12 permanent European teams in the next 60 to 90 days,” according to Alex Sherman of CNBC.com. He added that the league remains “on track to debut in October 2027.” The 12 new teams will be located in Rome, Milan, London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul.
Tatum said that the league is “looking for ‘great operators’ who will invest in new stadiums,” adding that there are “only ‘two to three world-class’ basketball arenas in all of Europe.” The NBA is “considering how to intermingle NBA Europe teams with its existing North American teams.” In the short term, Tatum said that NBA Europe teams “could play teams based in the U.S. and Canada in the preseason.” Then, over time, teams across the two leagues “could meet up in the Emirates NBA Cup.”
Q. Do you see an agreement between the NBA and the Euroleague possible for the creation of a new unified tournament? George Aivazoglou: I would say I see it the same way I have seen it for a while. The NBA has been very consistent that it wants to get involved with the Euroleague, and with all the European players, and bring them together as part of this new effort. I would say that the last few months have been very encouraging, with my good friend Chus Bueno. We have been in contact very often. We were together a few days ago in Geneva, and there is a very positive and very healthy exchange. From there, I would say, and Adam Silver and Mark Tatum also mentioned this, the NBA's decision is to move forward with this tournament with or without the Euroleague. But right now, there is a lot of focus, a lot of intention and energy going into those discussions, which will hopefully lead to a very positive outcome. But we still have a lot of work to do, that's the honest answer.
Q. What feedback have you received from Real Madrid? Is it the cornerstone of the project? George Aivazoglou: Look, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate President Florentino Perez on his recent re-election. I can't comment on any specific club and the interactions we've had. However, I would say that Real Madrid is one of the biggest and one of the best, if not the biggest, when we talk about their fan base, of all the clubs in the world. Who wouldn't want to have Real Madrid in a European League, right? So, and like I said, we've interacted with teams that have football programs, we've interacted with teams that have football and basketball programs, and we're very, very positive about how those conversations continue.
Real Madrid is poised to solidify its commitment to Euroleague Basketball as the organization prepares a transition from licensed clubs into permanent franchises, a strategic process the Spanish giant itself actively proposed and pushed to expedite. According to Eurohoops sources, failure to execute this 10-year agreement—the only offer available, as no one-year wildcard will be granted—would forfeit a €30 million share generated by expansion fees, costing the club its zero-cost franchise spot. While the Spanish giant retains the legal right to sign until the eleventh hour on June 30th, rejection carries severe consequences. If Los Blancos refuse the terms, they might compete in the Basketball Champions League for one season before the anticipated launch of NBA Europe at the top of the 2027–28 club schedule, absorbing a financial blow.
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Pau Gasol: "Barcelona is open to the possibility of NBA Europe. Barcelona has made clear that it wants to be in the best European league, but at the same time, it has to understand better the model, the project, the conditions, and see that certain things are happening. The presidential elections have prioritized other things, but we had to have clarity that we have it now, and starting July 1, Joan (Laporta) will resume official control of the club. I am very close to the club to be able to manage what would be valuing the entry into the project."
The NBA, EuroLeague and FIBA held what was described as “constructive discussions” Wednesday on a potential NBA Europe collaboration and, with momentum gaining, have scheduled a follow-up meeting for early July. Staged in Mies, Switzerland, Wednesday’s widely anticipated get-together was reportedly attended by NBA Europe Managing Director George Aivazoglou; EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno and President Dejan Bodiroga; and a FIBA delegation led by Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. The core issues were likely what a potential merger would look like and whether EuroLeague clubs -- which are about to become franchises -- would need to pay the full $500M-to $1B entry fee the NBA is seeking.
While EuroHoops reported there was no significant progress Wednesday, other sources said the exchange was positive and negotiations were picking up. In a joint statement, the three entities would only say: “Representatives of FIBA, NBA and Euroleague Basketball met today at the FIBA Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland, where they continued the constructive discussions on the future of European basketball and on potential opportunities for collaboration. A new meeting will take place in early July.”
In an audio recording obtained by MD, the center from Sant Boi highlighted the benefits that the NBA Europe project will bring to basketball in Europe. The American league plans to begin its first season in October 2027 , and Gasol is involved in the project. “NBA Europe is not just a proposal; I believe it will become a reality. It's a proposal, or rather the implementation of a model, that is necessary to grow our sport in Europe. It's a model that will not only be sustainable, which hasn't been the case in recent years—I don't know how many—but also a growth model for teams in our sport at the highest level,” Pau Gasol emphasized.
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In this audio obtained by MD, the FC Barcelona and Lakers legend also pointed out the positive impact that NBA Europe can have on the Old Continent beyond the competition itself. “The goal is also to have an impact on the entire ecosystem, from NBA Europe to any other European league, domestic league, and also youth programs, federations, etc. So the entire ecosystem will benefit from implementing and supporting this model. Obviously, I see the NBA's presence as a strong alliance to, first, bring a lot of investment and value to the teams in our sport, and also to bring many partnerships,” Gasol added.
Bryant believes European basketball already has a unique identity built on tradition, rivalries and passionate fan bases. At the same time, he acknowledged that the NBA could help the sport grow as a business, as long as the essence of the European game is preserved. “Europe already did the hard part. The rivalries, the buildings, the meaning. You cannot buy that, and the NBA knows it,” Bryant wrote while discussing the unique atmosphere and traditions that define the continent’s basketball culture. The EuroLeague First Team selection believes the NBA and European basketball bring different strengths to the table. “The NBA brings what European basketball has never had at scale. Capital, a global distribution machine, and decades of turning a sport into a business,” Bryant explained. “The EuroLeague brings the part money cannot buy. A product that is already real. Rivalries that go back generations. Buildings where every game feels like it matters.”
And what about Real Madrid? Chus Bueno: “They have not signed yet, but I keep saying, as I said from the beginning, that they will stay with us. I was optimistic from day one because I just think that it is the best option for them. As well as Fenerbahce and ASVEL did, hopefully Real Madrid will do it too. We have to respect that they are in the midst of elections, with voting happening this weekend. Hopefully, at the beginning of next week, we can re-engage in the conversation and try to land this as soon as possible, because we need to move on with the next season. We need to present an update on the competition to the board on June 9, and it would be great if Madrid is already on board”.
The former Spurs star also revealed that coaching in the NBA is an objective for the future, alongside the emerging NBA Europe project.