NBA and FIBA confirm new European league will happen, but could be delayed

The NBA and FIBA have once again confirmed their intention to create a new professional basketball league in Europe. However, the two organisations have again proposed a potential three-way partnership with the EuroLeague.

“A partnership between the EuroLeague, FIBA and the NBA to unite the European basketball ecosystem would unlock the enormous potential of the game on the continent for the benefit of clubs, players and, above all, fans,” the NBA and FIBA said in a joint statement.

The two organisations stressed that they remain committed to the project for a new professional league and to building a stronger and more sustainable basketball system in Europe.

The development comes after a meeting of EuroLeague shareholders held this week in Cernobbio, near Lake Como. The clubs did not accept the NBA’s current terms for a joint competition, but agreed that negotiations should continue.

According to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews, the decision does not mean the end of the talks. EuroLeague representatives are expected to return to the negotiating table in the coming weeks with a counterproposal to the NBA.

The NBA’s latest proposal was significantly different from the initial ideas discussed by the parties, but serious disagreements remain on key issues.

The NBA’s original goal was for NBA Europe to begin in 2027. The organisation continues to develop the project independently of the negotiations with the EuroLeague.

However, if no agreement is reached and the NBA decides to create an entirely separate competition, the debut of NBA Europe could be delayed until 2028.