NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently disclosed that the NBA is contemplating the establishment of its own basketball league in Europe while speaking to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press . This announcement comes amidst discussions between the NBA and FIBA, the sport’s global governing body, as they explore the commercial and competitive potential of basketball on the continent.
"Again, it reminds me just what the opportunity really is here. We certainly haven’t made any definitive decisions. I continue to believe there’s enormous opportunity here. It’s not something where we’ll transform a league structure in the short term."
"But I think that there’s an appetite among our team owners for additional investment in global basketball. We have a huge initiative in China. We have a huge initiative in Africa. Given the quality of the basketball here in Europe, it would seem to make sense that we should be doing something here as well."
"We want to make sure we have a true grasp of the opportunity. We’ll take the time we need to before we decide to move forward on any initiative. When we first played a preseason game in France, there were zero players from France in the NBA. We now have 14, including the last two No. 1 picks."
"So, I think that that’s just a great example of the development we’re seeing of the game here. We certainly don’t want to do damage to the strong bones of the basketball infrastructure that are in place."
"On the other hand, in terms of regional and pan-regional competition here in Europe, it would be my sense — and again, I’m still studying — that lots of investors are losing significant amounts of money every year."
"And while this isn’t just about money, most things that continue to lose money without a trajectory towards profitability ultimately do not survive. And so, whatever we do here, I think it’s important that it’s additive to the European basketball structure."
Silver emphasized the importance of these talks, noting that while no definitive decisions have been made, the discussions have become increasingly serious. The NBA is considering various options, including an annual tournament or a full-fledged league.
The NBA has long recognized the potential of European basketball. The continent has a massive basketball fan base, estimated at 270 million, and a media market valued at over $20 billion. These figures present a compelling case for the NBA to establish a more significant presence in Europe.
Silver highlighted the success of the Basketball Africa League as a model that could be replicated in Europe. This league brings together top teams from across Africa, providing a competitive platform that extends beyond domestic competitions.
The NBA’s potential league would compete with the EuroLeague, the current top basketball competition in Europe. The EuroLeague consists of 18 of the continent’s best teams, divided into two tiers, with 13 permanent members operating under licenses set to expire after the 2025-26 season.
European basketball teams face financial challenges, with many losing money each year. A league led by the NBA could address these issues by providing a more profitable and sustainable economic structure. However, there are concerns that an NBA-led league might prioritize business and entertainment over sports, potentially altering the traditional European basketball landscape.
The NBA's expansion into Europe represents a significant opportunity to enhance the sport's global reach and profitability. While the details and timeline are still being worked out, the potential for a new league in Europe marks a bold step forward for the NBA's international ambitions.
Related: Adam Silver Gets Brutally Honest On The NBA All-Star Game
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News . We really appreciate your support.
Most Popular
Comments / 0