NBA Commissioner Adam Silver met with executives from Real Madrid in Paris this week, again signaling serious intent to launch a new European basketball league backed by the NBA.
Silver, joined by Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and European/Middle East Director George Aivazoglou, is spearheading a campaign to recruit top-tier EuroLeague clubs into a new NBA-affiliated competition. Among the targets: Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, ASVEL Villeurbanne, and Fenerbahce Istanbul. Talks are also ongoing with ALBA Berlin, which recently opted out of renewing its EuroLeague wildcard and is now competing in FIBA’s Champions League.
Real Madrid, a historic powerhouse with 11 EuroLeague titles, is seen as a cornerstone for the proposed league. Its current EuroLeague license expires in 2026, making the timing ripe for a potential defection.
Not everyone is thrilled. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas has voiced concerns, calling the NBA’s plans “confusing” and urging collaboration rather than competition. The EuroLeague, with its 25-year legacy and loyal fan base, sees the NBA’s expansion as a direct challenge to its dominance.
Silver’s European tour included meetings with political leaders, investors, and sports executives across London, Paris, and Madrid. The NBA’s interest in Europe is fueled by the continent’s growing basketball popularity and the success of European stars like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Dončić, a Real Madrid alum.
The proposed league would feature 16 teams, blending EuroLeague defectors, new franchises in cities like Paris and London, and clubs earning spots through domestic or FIBA competitions.
While no formal announcements have been made, insiders suggest the NBA is targeting a launch around the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With Silver’s aggressive push and Real Madrid’s global brand, the NBA’s European dream is inching closer to reality.
