In a landmark collaboration, the NBA and FIBA have announced their plans to jointly explore the creation of a new professional men’s basketball league in Europe. The proposal, unveiled in a press release on March 27, 2025, aims to expand the reach of basketball across the continent and accelerate the sport’s growth while integrating seamlessly into the existing European basketball structure.
The initiative marks a significant step forward in the NBA’s global expansion efforts, building on its decades-long history of promoting basketball internationally. According to the joint announcement, the league would not only introduce permanent teams but also offer a merit-based pathway for clubs to qualify through the European basketball ecosystem. Teams participating in the new league would remain engaged in their respective national leagues, preserving the rich traditions of European club basketball.
In addition to competitive opportunities, the NBA and FIBA plan to dedicate financial resources and support to developing Europe’s basketball ecosystem. This includes investing in club academies, as well as expanding programs to develop players, coaches, and referees at all levels of the game. Such efforts are expected to provide a long-term boost to European basketball, fostering new talent and strengthening existing structures.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis emphasized the potential of this collaboration in their joint statement.
“The European basketball community is proud of its seven-decade history of international club competitions and the elite talent it develops,” said Zagklis. “Yet given the sport’s popularity and the success of national team competitions, there is untapped potential in European club basketball. A new league in Europe would combine the NBA’s business acumen with the international expertise of FIBA to attract new basketball fans and investors alike, maximize club benefits, and establish synergies for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Silver echoed these sentiments, highlighting the unique position of the NBA and FIBA to bring this vision to life.
“The NBA and FIBA are uniquely positioned to build on the rich tradition of European basketball,” he said. “We look forward to collaborating with FIBA to explore the creation of a new league for fans across the continent.”
The announcement follows years of growing interest in European basketball, with the continent producing some of the NBA’s brightest stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, and Nikola Jokić. However, despite the popularity of the sport and the success of its national teams, European club basketball has yet to fully realize its commercial and developmental potential.
The NBA and FIBA have collaborated in the past on initiatives such as the Basketball Without Borders program and the Basketball Africa League (BAL). These partnerships have demonstrated the impact that structured investment and global expertise can have on regional basketball development. The proposed European league appears to be the next logical step in this trajectory, aiming to replicate similar successes in one of the sport’s most historic regions.
While still in the exploratory phase, the proposal has already sparked excitement and curiosity among fans, stakeholders, and potential investors. Discussions with prospective teams, arena developers, and commercial partners are ongoing, with the NBA and FIBA pledging to provide further updates as the plan progresses.
If realized, the new league would represent a transformative moment in the history of European basketball, combining the NBA’s business acumen with FIBA’s deep-rooted ties to the international basketball community. As Silver and Zagklis work to refine their vision, the basketball world awaits what could be a groundbreaking chapter for the sport across Europe.
