Adam Silver: NBA Europe will move forward with or without EuroLeague, but I think we’ll work something out

Adam Silver has addressed the NBA Europe project again, confirming that the new competition will move forward even without an agreement with EuroLeague. The NBA commissioner remains confident, however: “We’re hoping we’ll work something out with EuroLeague. I think we will.”

“It’s hard to believe there are 1,200 professional clubs in Europe. EuroLeague is the top-tier competition right now. We’re going forward with what we’re calling NBA Europe, and we’re hoping we’ll work something out with EuroLeague. I think we will,” Silver said. Asked whether the NBA would proceed without EuroLeague, he replied: “Yes, but we’re going to get something worked out with them.”

Silver also confirmed strong interest in the planned 12 franchise teams, with bids coming from existing basketball clubs, major European soccer brands and investors looking to create clubs from scratch.

On valuations, Silver said franchises are attracting bids worth “many hundreds of millions of dollars.” He described it as a “once and forever opportunity” to become the NBA team in markets such as London, Paris, Madrid and Munich.