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New York Knicks star Josh Hart addressed the subject during an interview with Valeria Rubino for Vsport TV. “Me, an adviser or investor in Napoli Basket? I didn't want to say anything about it. I've visited Naples and the Amalfi Coast several times. They're fantastic places. You learn so much about the culture and the people who live there. This summer, I became a little more involved with the organization. I'll let Matt Rizzetta talk about it when the time is right, once everything has been finalized and completed. We'll talk about it later.” “I have a lot of affection for them and for what they're building there. The team, the new arena — there are a lot of important things coming, and I'm excited about it,” Hart concluded.
AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has confirmed plans to build a 20,000-seat arena in the San Donato comune, aiming to secure a future NBA franchise in Italy’s financial capital. Speaking to La Repubblica on Thursday, 59-year-old Cardinale discussed several topics about the football-soccer giant and revisited his ambitions for NBA Europe, providing an update regarding a new basketball venue. “Everything is set to break ground on a 20,000-seat NBA Europe arena,” he mentioned, emphasizing his desire to secure a permanent slot in the continental market. “We want to be there with a franchise in Milan.”
Last Thursday at the Palazzetto dello Sport on Viale Tiziano in Rome, Kelly Olynyk made his mark on his BC Roma debut with 15 points—six of them in the decisive overtime period—as his team secured a 77–72 EuroCup victory over Balkan Botevgrad. The immediate sense is that head coach Alessandro Magro’s squad has landed something far beyond a mere roster upgrade. “I played 13 years in the NBA; it was time to step aside and make room for the younger generation,” Olynyk shared during his introductory press conference at the Giulio Onesti sports complex. (A few days after the press conference, Olynyk had 38 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to Varese.)
He has already caught a glimpse of Rome’s basketball passion. Recently, he was in the stands at the PalaEur for the derby against Maxima, joining a crowd of 9,312 fans. “There was incredible energy. The style was a bit different from the NBA, but the fans were deeply passionate, and that’s the exact kind of environment every player wants to be in.” As for the possibility of the NBA expanding into Europe? That had nothing to do with his decision. “Right now, we’re completely focused on the Italian league and the EuroCup.”
Sky News has learnt that executives from clubs understood to include AC Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid will hold talks with counterparts from the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Tuesday. The football club chiefs will be in London as a result of the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in the capital on Monday evening, although it was unclear whether they would meet NBA executives in person or remotely.
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Their discussions with the NBA come amid efforts to finalise the sale of a dozen franchises for a new European basketball league slated to launch late next year. A further four teams are expected to participate annually on a merit-related basis.
A bold new era in Rome, supported by Donnie Nelson. Talking to local newspapers, Roma’s general manager and managing partner revealed the ambitions and origin story of the club’s relocation from Vanoli Cremona. “After a bit too much vodka, we met with Rimantas Kaukenas,” he recalled in his interview posted Friday, describing how the project was sparked in Lithuania by 49-year-old Kaukenas. The vision was soon pitched to NBA superstar Luka Doncic. “Luka immediately appreciated the idea and wanted to invest his own money,” noted 64-year-old Nelson. “He’s enthusiastic about it.”
BC Roma has announced the signing of Kelly Olynyk, adding an experienced NBA veteran and Canadian international to Alessandro Magro’s team. The 35-year-old will wear No. 22 and is completing the formalities for his Italian entry visa before arriving in Rome in the coming days. “I’m very happy about this opportunity and to become part of the BC Roma project. I can’t wait to arrive in Rome, meet my new teammates and start working with the team. I’m excited about this new experience,” Olynyk said.
Euroleague shareholders will meet in Italy on Monday to discuss an expansion project, while talks with the NBA to become part of the 2027 NBA Europe league are also on the agenda. Both the Euroleague and the NBA have said they will forge ahead with their own strategy for next season if no agreement is found.
Talking to Italy’s Sky Sport on Thursday, Danilo Gallinari highlighted the unique enthusiasm shared by peers who have played on both sides of the Atlantic. “The goal for both parties is certainly to find a balance between the basketball side and the entertainment side,” he mentioned while detailing his view on the crossover initiative, widely labeled as NBA Europe. “I hope it can start in the 2027–28 season and that an agreement can be reached between the Euroleague and the NBA. That’s crucial. Let’s hope they manage to do it,” he continued. “As a former player who has experienced both worlds, as well as other former players with whom I constantly interact, there’s the same kind of excitement and expectation about something that could finally become a reality.”
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BC Roma is finalizing a deal with Kelly Olynyk. The 35-year-old Canadian center, a veteran of 842 NBA games between 2013 and 2026 and fresh off an NBA Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs, is said to have reached a basic agreement with the Roman club.
Next week in Italy, the EuroLeague, Europe’s top continental basketball competition, will hold a meeting of its shareholders to consider proposals from the NBA to acquire EuroLeague and merge it with the new NBA Europe, those sources said. “Obviously, (Tatum) wouldn’t be invited here if things with the football clubs weren’t moving in the right direction,” said one official from an interested soccer powerhouse at the Copenhagen conference.