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In an interview with EFE, carried by Marca, EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno explained that the rejection of the NBA’s initial proposal had not ended discussions. However, EuroLeague will continue pursuing its own franchise model and expansion plans. “If they want to enter Europe and form an alliance with us, the clubs have to be part of this model, and the amounts have to be discussed,” Bueno said. “The clubs are open to joining, but they want all of them to be included and to find the best ways to avoid investing so much.” According to EFE, the initial proposal offered more than €500 million to be distributed among the shareholder clubs, while requiring each club joining the project to invest €440 million. Bueno declined to discuss the figures, citing confidentiality. “If there are other proposals from the NBA, our lines are open, but we will keep working on the EuroLeague model.”
Bueno also disputed NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum’s claim that NBA Europe could distribute three times as much money to clubs as EuroLeague’s projected business plan. He argued that any comparison must account for the initial entry investment required under the NBA proposal. “If franchises put in €500 million and earn €240 million over ten years, they are still losing €260 million. In our case, they don’t lose money because they don’t put anything in. If they generate €100 million or €200 million, that is what they generate.”
A crucial week is ahead for the NBA Europe project, according to reports from across Europe and information from Eurohoops sources. As Sky Sports reported, a meeting is expected in London, where the Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held on Monday.
Mat Ishbia argued that the immediate focus should look past the next couple of years, aiming instead to unite existing international clubs under a single identity. “Europe has a lot of great leagues, and how do we put it together and really make it great? You put the NBA stamp on it,” he explained. While Euroleague executives remain open to future partnerships, Ishbia believes the priority is cementing the sport’s global footprint. He urged decision-makers to prioritize generational reach and growth over instant returns. “We’ve got to think, instead of saying short-term, we got to think long-term,” he added. “What’s the growth? What’s the plan? How do we make this in 20 years the most dominant and global game like it is right now, but continue to build throughout the world?”
With the NBA pressing ahead with plans to launch a new European league in 2027, the prospect of two rival competitions emerging is increasingly coming into focus. Bueno warned of the dangers of further fragmenting the market. "If they decide to (enter into the market), it's going to be a disaster. And they know, we know, and we don't want that," Bueno told Reuters on Monday. "We had some conversations after Como. And the position of the owners was very clear. We will always be open to listen, and to talk with the NBA about any potential deal. But it has to make sense for us," said Bueno. "The telephone lines are open and, if something has not worked, maybe there's something that can work in the future," he added, declining to elaborate on the terms of the NBA Europe proposal.
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Fournier believes that European basketball needs a better financial model, but questioned whether NBA involvement would preserve the atmosphere that makes it distinctive. “I think Europe needs a better business model. At the same time, the atmosphere is incredible. If the NBA comes, it will want to change certain things. If you lose that, you will lose the craziness of European basketball. They’ll look at what works best from a business perspective, with teams in attractive cities like London, Manchester and Rome. Personally, I don’t see it.”
One top European executive pressed me, “Have you heard the word ‘fans’ mentioned often? I haven’t heard one fan tell me they want NBA Europe.” Hyperbole? Perhaps. But it exemplifies the challenge in front of the NBA. Of course, the league sees a pathway to building a profitable, better-run business, and yes, it is able to recruit new investors who can’t afford an NBA team. But league officials should start every conversation around the fan and the belief that this will drive interest in basketball, and be better for the fan. It can’t always start around building a profitable business.
After being officially waived by the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Lonnie Walker IV has turned his focus to the EuroLeague. According to Eurohoops sources, Besiktas is among his primary suitors, with two additional teams also showing interest. The 27-year-old shooting guard is heading back to Europe after signing with agent Misko Raznatovic of BeoBasket. Walker is already familiar with the overseas game, having played 47 EuroLeague matches.
Former longtime NBA star Dwight Howard has made his official European debut in Georgia. In his first game in the Georgian Superleague, his team, Black Fortress Tbilisi, fell 70-75 against Iverioni. Meanwhile, Howard had a solid debut for his new team, finishing with 12 points (5/8 FG), 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 17 minutes of action.
“If the NBA launches its own league in Europe without an agreement with the EuroLeague, while the Basketball Champions League also continues, fragmentation will become an even bigger problem. We need to find a balance,” Ettore Messina cautioned, strongly advocating for strategic synergy over institutional warfare. “If the NBA and EuroLeague can eventually reach an agreement, one of the most important things will be to preserve the soul of the competition we have in Europe,” he added. “My hope is that EuroLeague and NBA Europe can find a way to come together around one common league.”
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Contessa Brewer: "It's been reported that negotiations with the Euroleague hit a rough patch. Where do things stand right now?" Adam Silver: "It's like any negotiation, it's ongoing. I think it's too extreme to say it's a rough patch. We've been going back and forth with the Euroleague. They're the existing pan-regional league right now in Europe. On top of that, there's leagues in every country. It's hard to believe there are 1,200 professional clubs in Europe. So 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 the Euroleague. I think we will."
The NBA is moving forward with plans to launch a new league in Europe, widely referred to as NBA Europe. Commissioner Adam Silver detailed the blueprint during a CNBC appearance in Macao, where the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks opened the NBA China Games 2026 on Friday. “It’s like any negotiation. It’s ongoing,” he said regarding discussions with continental stakeholders. “We’ve been going back and forth with Euroleague. They’re the existing pan-regional league right now in Europe. On top of that, there’s leagues in every country. It’s hard to believe there are 1,200 professional clubs in Europe. So, EuroLeague is the top-tier competition right now.”
As expected, the Euroleague responded negatively to the NBA's proposal. At the shareholders' meeting in Como, Italy, the organizing authority was almost completely negative about the NBA's proposal. In fact, those who would like to continue the status quo described the proposal as "Unacceptable and colonialist," while others called for an improved proposal. The essence, however, does not change. The NBA's proposal does not proceed under these terms.
Pausing, Luka Doncic offers more. The NBA is excited about European expansion—and the revenue that comes with it. But there will be obstacles getting it off the ground. The EuroLeague most notably, Doncic says. The decades-old competition won’t surrender its position as the continent’s top basketball platform. “There’s EuroLeague, EuroCup and then NBA Europe,” says Doncic. “It is going to be three leagues. That’s kind of hard to work. There should be one league. That’s how it works.”