The balance of power in European basketball is approaching a decisive moment. With key strategic decisions looming, the long-running tension between the EuroLeague and the NBA is intensifying as the American league prepares to launch a new European competition in 2027.
According to AS, Real Madrid are determined to accept the NBA’s proposal and leave the EuroLeague to join what is provisionally known as NBA Europe. While no contract has yet been signed, talks between the club and the NBA are advanced and ongoing. The alliance, if completed, would dramatically alter the European basketball landscape.
NBA Europe: a new map for continental basketball
Taking advantage of NBA regular-season games scheduled in Europe, the league has held meetings with investors and potential partner clubs to outline the structure of the new competition. The plan foresees a 16-team league: 12 permanent license holders and four teams qualifying each season.
Real Madrid are not only among the invitees — they are viewed as the flagship club of the project. The NBA also aims to expand into football-centric cities with limited basketball tradition, such as Rome, Manchester and Paris (via PSG), while targeting major markets like London and Berlin. Conversely, traditional basketball strongholds such as Greece and Serbia would likely play a reduced role.
The project is being developed in collaboration with FIBA, which has been in open conflict with the EuroLeague for control of European basketball for nearly a decade. This alignment would allow FIBA to keep the Basketball Champions League relevant, with its champion potentially qualifying for NBA Europe, presenting the new league as less closed than the EuroLeague.
EuroLeague’s counter-move and the clubs’ divide
In parallel, the EuroLeague has been working with its shareholder clubs on a long-term framework covering 2026–2036, following the signing of a major commercial deal. An informal deadline of January 15 was set for clubs to confirm their commitment.
Several teams have already signed 10-year agreements, including Baskonia, Anadolu Efes, Bayern Munich, Žalgiris, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olimpia Milano, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos and CSKA Moscow (despite their suspension due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine).
Attention has focused on four undecided clubs: FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Fenerbahçe and ASVEL. Barcelona have opted to stay with the EuroLeague for now, though with an exit clause. Fenerbahçe and Real Madrid are more inclined toward the NBA project, while ASVEL — long linked to the NBA through club president Tony Parker — are reconsidering and may yet renew with the EuroLeague.
A historic shift on the horizon
For Real Madrid, the potential move represents not only a sporting revolution but also a fundamental business shift. Financial structure, global exposure and long-term growth are at the heart of the NBA proposal, which the club is analyzing in detail. Despite the lack of formal signatures, the intention in Madrid is clear: to cross over — and to lead the new era of European basketball.
For now, the tug of war between NBA and EuroLeague remains open. But the next few months could define the continent’s basketball future for decades to come.
Commenta
Visualizza commenti