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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.
Draymond Green: Victor Wembanyama is a great player. Victor is a European player. And I've been on record saying European players are dirty and everybody's like Draymond shouldn't say that. And I told y'all no Draymond will [expletive] you up. I'm not dirty. It's a completely different thing. And I don't think anyone that I play against would tell you, man, he dirty. No, I ain't dirty. That's a different thing. I will mess you up though. Victor Wembanyama is a European player. They are a bit dirty. It's why beating France and France was such a big deal. Europeans want to own our game and they are a bit dirty. And so I've said this before and everybody's like, ‘Daymond shouldn't say that. He can't say that. He's dirty.’ No, I'm not. I will mess you up for sure because you deserve to get jacked up. Completely different thing than doing sneaky dirty stuff.
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.”
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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.
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.
Bogdan Bogdanovic has been a dream come true for Partizan fans ever since rumors leaked that the management of the black and whites was in talks with the Serbian captain about a possible return to Humska. Bogdanovic was also on the wish list of numerous European clubs, after a forgettable season with the Los Angeles Clippers, marked by injury problems, but also limited minutes and role in the team. However, as first reported by Greek profile Hoop Fellas, Bogdanovic has no plans to return to the Old Continent. At least not next season.
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.”
In the last five completed seasons, head coach departures in Europe’s top five leagues are at least 10 per cent more frequent on average than in the NHL and MLB, and between 15 and 25 per cent more frequent than in the NFL and the NBA. To understand the reasons, it helps to dig into why European football coaches get sacked in the first place. An unceremonious in-season exit can be influenced by tensions with owners, a loss of faith in the dressing room, a toxic atmosphere in the stands, or all of the above. Fundamentally, though, it tends to follow a bad run of results that leave the season either doomed or in danger of falling short of expectations.
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Following the introduction of the starting lineups, an 80-by-60-foot colorful banner created by San Antonio street artist Shek Vega is unveiled over Section 114, unfurled by being up from row to row. These banners are known as tifos in Europe, and this is another new tradition suggested directly by Wembanyama, who drew inspiration from the "ultras," the Paris Saint-Germain supporters he admired while growing up in France. "He wanted to bring that European atmosphere, wanted to bring that European football energy to the states," Aidan Sterling, the Jackals president, said. "That's exactly what he did." Once the Jackals are covered by the tifo, Redmond "Big Red" Carson, one of the Jackals' eight captains, turns around to face the entire group and deliver a pep shout. "Hey Jackals! This is why you showed up on a Sunday!" Carson, whose day job is selling ranches, yells as the rest of the Jackals shake the tifo with their hands. "This is why you went to 40 games, for this reason, for Game 1 of the NBA Finals! I want to hear it!"
Real Madrid will compete in the EuroLeague next season. According to information confirmed by AS, the Spanish club will extend its commitment to Europe's top basketball competition, which is currently undergoing major reorganization as the NBA prepares to enter the European market in October 2027. The North American league has not shifted that planned launch date at all, although time is running short and none of Europe's major clubs have yet confirmed their participation. Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner, acknowledged that they are "working on a very tight timeline" but said that their "intention and expectation" is to continue according to the planned schedule.
Tom Petrini: Adam Silver on NBA Europe: "We have been pursuing an independent league in Europe, we are very much on schedule. It is our hope and anticipation that that league will launch in the 27-28 season in Europe. We are on track. Final bids from franchises are due at the end of this month, at the end of the month in June. It has been has been reported, we've seen record interest, and we're very excited about the ongoing opportunity, and working closely with FIBA."
The buildup to a brand-new European basketball league, widely referred to as NBA Europe, has gained a major endorsement from Italian basketball icon Danilo Gallinari. With the NBA partnering with FIBA to launch a 16-team competition by the start of the 2027-28 season, 37-year-old Gallinari voiced his strong support for the project. “I like the NBA Europe project. I can’t wait for it to take shape,” he stated to Corriere della Sera on Wednesday. “The quality of European basketball is so high that it needs a system that works. The game, the fans, the packed arenas, they are all great. But while in the NBA it’s 50% basketball and 50% business, in Europe it’s 80% basketball and 20% business. The NBA can help fix this ratio.”