Exclusive: EuroLeague CEO ‘open’ to NBA investment talks but yet to receive an offer
EuroLeague Basketball chiefs are expecting a takeover approach from the NBA that would see the two organisations collaborate on a new European basketball league.
CEO Chus Bueno said no offer had yet been put to the EuroLeague but NBA commissioner Adam Silver this week said that joining forces with the incumbent was now their preference.
EuroLeague’s owners, who include clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce, are due to meet early next month and it is understood they will consider any approach from the NBA if it arrives in good time.
“We are open to explore collaboration and partnership opportunities on the future of European basketball,” Bueno said in a statement to City AM.
“We have not received any offer by NBA as of now but if one arrives, it will be evaluated. In the meantime we continue to progress with our plans to grow EuroLeague.”
Silver’s comments, which followed a scheduled meeting of the NBA’s board of governors on Tuesday, have been seen as a softening of its stance on collaborating with the EuroLeague.
“I believe we’re making progress there,” said Silver. “We believe that the league would be strengthened by joining forces with the EuroLeague. It doesn’t have to happen, but I think we all would be better off as a unified front in Europe.”
NBA Europe will launch in 2027, says Silver
The NBA believes European basketball is significantly under-commercialised and has tapped private equity and European football clubs to bid for franchises in NBA Europe.
It has faced resistance in its efforts to recruit EuroLeague teams to NBA Europe, where they would compete with new franchises in cities such as London, Paris and Berlin.
It is understood that discussions with potential investors continue, although some have told City AM they believe that NBA Europe’s proposed autumn 2027 launch may need to be put back.
Silver played down the prospect of delaying the launch, saying that he didn’t believe potential investors were “so impatient necessarily about next season”.
He added: “I think if it were up to some of them at least, we would wait longer to launch. At the same time, depending on where we stand with the EuroLeague, I do think it’s important that we introduce competition into the market next summer.”
Silver conceded, however, that – with no teams, format or commercial deals in place yet – NBA Europe may have to adopt a phased launch over several years.
He said: “The initial product you’d likely see a year from now will be different than when we ultimately will have brought all the teams together and are formally operating the league.”
EuroLeague set to discuss own expansion plans
EuroLeague owners have their own plans to add more teams next year and are due to meet in Como, Italy, on 5 October to discuss the expansion and future strategy.
Silver added: “We want to get going. There will be announcements coming over the next few months. Those conversations are proceeding in earnest. It seems like everything takes longer than people outside the league would like it to take. These things are very involved.
“For us, in terms of NBA Europe, we truly see it as a once-in-forever opportunity, historic from our standpoint in terms of what this could mean, not just for basketball but the European sport landscape. And we want to get it right.”