The NBA’s Expansion Plans in Europe
The NBA is setting its sights on expanding its presence in Europe, aiming to tap into the continent’s growing basketball scene. With the start of the 2025-26 season last month, the league is witnessing an influx of European talent, boasting a record 71 players from various European countries, including the UK and France. The league’s recent success has seen five of the last seven Most Valuable Player awards go to European players, highlighting the continent’s significant contribution to basketball’s evolution.
Basketball’s Popularity and Market Potential
Basketball’s popularity is surging across Europe, positioning it as the second-most favored sport on the continent, with Germany reigning as the current FIBA World Cup champions. However, while the sport thrives, it still struggles to secure a significant share of Europe’s $45 billion sports media and sponsorship industry, capturing less than 1%. This presents a lucrative opportunity for the NBA to capitalize on the sport’s expansion.
NBA Europe: A New League on the Horizon
The NBA’s ambitious blueprint for this growth includes the establishment of a European league, tentatively titled ‘NBA Europe’, within the next two years. The proposal outlines a semi-open league featuring 10 to 12 core teams that would guarantee their spots annually. In total, the league could expand to 16 teams, with additional qualifications based on performance in existing competitions such as the Basketball Champions League. Long-term goals for the league include increasing the number of core teams and implementing Europe-wide qualification opportunities.
Commitment to European Cities
The NBA’s confidence in this venture stems from a notable rise in the sport’s popularity, evidenced by basketball being the UK’s second most participated sport. The league plans to host six games across key European cities—London, Manchester, Berlin, and Paris—during the next three seasons, underlining its commitment to strengthening its foothold in Europe. Joint efforts with potential investors and teams are in early discussions, with NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum emphasizing that future conversations will clarify the level of interest in ‘NBA Europe’. JPMorgan and The Raine Group have been brought in as consultants to guide these developments, complementing similar initiatives like the Basketball Africa League.
Concerns from EuroLeague
Despite the NBA’s enthusiasm, not everyone is on board with these plans. The EuroLeague, Europe’s premier basketball league, is skeptical of the NBA’s proposal and its potential impacts. EuroLeague chief executive Paulius Motiejunas expressed concerns that the new league might harm existing structures rather than enhance the sport’s development. He pointed out that such expansions could disrupt a careful balance they have cultivated in European basketball over the years, aiming to collaborate rather than compete.
Motiejunas believes there is still much to be accomplished in the UK basketball market, which offers substantial potential for growth. While the London Lions participate in the EuroCup, they are seen as part of EuroLeague’s strategic plans, particularly with discussions surrounding a new 15,000-seat arena that has garnered the support of London Mayor Sadiq Khan. This could serve to elevate the prominence of basketball in the UK, a market EuroLeague remains invested in developing.
Conclusion
In summary, as the NBA explores its ambitious plans for expansion into Europe, it faces both excitement from potential fans and pushback from established European stakeholders. How these dynamics evolve will ultimately shape the future of basketball on the continent.
