EuroLeague and NBA move closer to potential partnership as NBA Europe plans take shape

30/03/202622:49

Talks expected in the coming days, with a joint competition and a 24-team format emerging as possible outcomes.

According to Eurohoops, European basketball could be on the verge of a historic turning point. The EuroLeague and the NBA are expected to hold a new meeting in the coming days, aiming to create a joint project, even as the bidding process for NBA Europe nears its conclusion ahead of a potential 2027 launch.

Interest from investors—mainly U.S. funds targeting markets such as the UK and Rome—remains strong, although no group appears willing to meet the reported €500 million entry fee. Local interest, particularly in Paris, is also present, while Middle Eastern funds are currently more cautious due to geopolitical tensions.

Meanwhile, the EuroLeague Board is set to meet on April 14 to decide next season’s format, with a 20-team structure still the most likely outcome given uncertainties surrounding teams like Monaco and ASVEL. However, if an agreement with the NBA is reached—potentially involving FIBA—a 24-team competition could emerge, aligning calendars and opening a new chapter for European basketball after decades of division.