Are NBA and FIBA joining hands? Major leagues move closer to launching ambitious pan-European basketball league with merit-based entry system

Today, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that they will continue their joint investigation of a new professional, pan-European men's basketball league in January by inviting potential teams and ownership groups to participate in the league's application process.

In addition to permanent franchises, the proposed league "would offer all teams from FIBA-affiliated national leagues in Europe a merit-based pathway to qualify each year," either through an end-of-season qualifying competition or FIBA's Basketball Champions League (BCL).

NBA and FIBA plan a new pan-European league that supports domestic leagues and player development

In order to start interacting with and identifying European clubs and ownership groups for the establishment of a new pan-European professional basketball league, the NBA and FIBA have set a crucial deadline.

In addition to permanent slots, the new league would provide every team in a domestic league in Europe connected with FIBA with a merit-based road to qualify annually through either an end-of-season qualifying event or FIBA's BCL. In order to enable players to represent their club and national team all year round, the league would also synchronize its timetable with those of domestic leagues and national teams.

Additionally, both organizations stress that as part of the new league, they intend to provide resources and financial support to the ongoing growth of the European basketball ecosystem, which includes national leagues, club academies, and current NBA and FIBA programs that aim to develop aspiring players, coaches, and referees at all levels of the game.




The proposed concept would incorporate the new league within the existing European basketball scene, with clubs competing in their own national leagues. The league would provide clubs with a merit-based route to qualification via the European basketball ecosystem in addition to permanent teams.

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said:

“The progress of this joint NBA–FIBA project is very good news for the European basketball community.. The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top. The project is conceived in a way that will improve the sustainability of the entire European basketball ecosystem, including players, clubs, leagues and national federations, by generating a knock-on effect that will strongly benefit basketball fans throughout Europe.”

In order to enable players to represent both their clubs and national teams, the season would also coincide with the current domestic league and national team calendars. Domestic leagues, club team academies, and initiatives to train players, coaches, and referees would all be covered by this cash.

The NBA and FIBA aim to launch a new European league that grows the game locally while expanding the NBA’s global reach

As part of the new league, the NBA and FIBA would also intend to devote funds and resources to the ongoing growth of Europe's basketball ecosystem, which includes club team academies, domestic leagues, and the NBA and FIBA's current initiatives to train future players, coaches, and referees at all levels of the sport.

An NBA Europe league is NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's largest attempt to date to expand the NBA's global presence. The problem in Europe will be competing against the well-established EuroLeague, a league that has a long history and is very important to supporters.

Talking about it, Silver said:

“Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent.. Together with FIBA, we look forward to engaging prospective clubs and ownership groups that share our vision for the game’s potential in Europe.”

In the upcoming months, the NBA and FIBA will release further information.


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